Potentially lethal fungus moves south from Canada

Cases are rare, but it can be difficult to diagnose. Officials are on the lookout for it in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California.
By Thomas H. Maugh II
Los Angeles Times
April 23, 2010

A potentially lethal fungus normally found only in the tropics has established a foothold on the Pacific Coast of British Columbia and has slowly made its way southward into Washington, Oregon and Idaho, researchers said Thursday.

Health authorities are not unduly alarmed by the fungus because the number of cases so far remains small, but both federal and state officials — including those in California — are monitoring its progress in the fear that it will spread more rapidly as it reaches warmer climates.

"Overall, I don't think it is a large threat at this time," said molecular biologist Edmond J. Byrnes III of Duke University Medical Center, the lead author of the report appearing in the online journal PLoS Pathogens. "But the fact that it is continuing to spread geographically and the number of cases is rising makes it a concern." the rest image

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