Jan 23, 2026
3 min read
Tennessee health officials have warned of the deadly fungal disease, including 35 cases of histoplasmosis in Murray and Williamson counties in three months.
A deadly fungus has spread in Tennessee, health officials have warned.
More than 35 cases of histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by exposure to the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, have been diagnosed in Maury and Williamson counties in three months, according to figures released Jan. 12 by the Tennessee Department of Health.
Family also spoke out against claims that one woman died after having fibrocytopenia, with a positive test result two days after her death, according to a local report.
A DANGEROUS 'SUPERBOG' IS KILLING OUR EDUCATION AS RESISTANCE IN BUSINESS FACES GROWTH, RESEARCHERS MONEY.
But during a briefing to the Williamson County Board of Commissioners, state epidemiologists said an investigation is ongoing and contamination has not yet been confirmed as the immediate cause of death.
He also pointed out that the average age of people suffering from this disease is 50.
According to government officials, the fungus comes from soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings.People are exposed when they inhale fungal spores.No single source has been identified in the outbreak of Tennessee disease.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR OUR HEALTH INFORMATION
In most cases, people don't get sick, but histoplasmosis can cause respiratory symptoms that range from mild to life-threatening, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of histoplasmosis -- which can include fever, cough, extreme fatigue, headache, body aches, chills and chest pain -- usually appear three to 17 days after exposure to the fungus.
"Histoplasmosis can be fatal for certain patients, but it doesn't have to be that way."
Because these symptoms are similar to colds and flu, the condition is often overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Dr. Zaid Fadul, CEO of California-based Bespoke Concierge MD, noted that most people are not at high risk.
Click here for more news
Among the high-risk groups are those with weakened immune systems or those with high levels of exposure to spores, according to doctors.
Although most people do not need treatment, antifungal medications are available for more serious infections.State officials confirmed during the briefing that some Tennessee patients are hospitalized and some are critically ill.
Health care providers can confirm infection by testing blood or urine samples in a laboratory.Other testing methods may include respiratory fluids, X-rays, CT scans or tissue biopsies.
Click here to download the Fox News app
To prevent the disease, health officials recommend limiting activities that disturb soil and considering wearing masks during "high-risk" outdoor activities.
"It's very healthy to be outside, but if it's dusty or you're going to be outside for a long time, you need to wear some kind of mask to limit any spores you might breathe in," Fadul said.
Prior to this outbreak, histoplasmosis was a "reportable disease" in only 14 states (Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Washington).
The infection is not spread from person to person or animals.
Test yourself with our latest life questions.
People who have symptoms and think they have been exposed to the Histoplasma fungus should contact their doctor for testing, especially if antibiotics are not effective.
"Because of this outbreak, and the new antigen tests approved by the CDC, sudden flu infections should lead to prompt diagnosis and treatment," Fadul said."Histoplasmosis can be fatal in some patients, but not always."
