What it Cryptococcus gattii?
Cryptococcus gattii is an environmental fungus that has been isolated from native trees, soil, air, and water in the Pacific Northwest. Exposure is through inhaling the fungus. Symptoms include severe cough with shortness of breath, chills, night sweats, and loss of appetite. Typical diagnoses are meningitis and pneumonia. Treatment is with antifungals. In 2005, three cats living near the Canadian border were diagnosed with C. gattii. In 2006, C. gatti was found in soil from Whatcom County. Also that year, two state residents with cryptococcal disease were identified who may have been locally exposed.
