Cryptococcus gattii is a rare fungus that can infect healthy people and more commonly people with impaired immune systems. Pets and animals in general can also develop a Cryptococcus gattii infection.
No. Cryptococcus gattii cannot be transmitted person-to-person or animal-to-animal.
Washington state, Oregon, British Columbia, Canada, and perhaps Northern California.
A recent study at Duke University found that an Oregon strain of Cryptococcus gattii killed 25 percent of the people it infected, but the overall numbers of people were tiny.
No. This is a very rare disease.
Infections happen when people inhale Cryptococcus gattii spores, which live in soil and on trees.
Based on current research, it can take two to 12 months for someone to develop symptoms after the exposure. This makes it difficult to identify the place where the person was exposed.
• Cough that lasts weeks or months • Sharp chest pain • Unexplained shortness of breath • Severe headache • Confusion • Fever • Night sweats • Unintended weight loss
Anti-fungal medication is used to treat Cryptococcus gattii. This will need to be prescribed by your doctor.
There is no guaranteed means to avoid exposure, but catching this rare disease is highly unlikely.
• Washington State Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section (206) 418-5500 • Washington State Zoonotic Disease program (360) 236-3885 (for animal-related questions)
