Vancouver Island has one of the highest rates in the world of infection from cryptococcus, a microscopic fungal newcomer to cooler climates.
Dr. Eleni Galanis, a physician epidemiologist with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, said the number of cases of the fungus-caused illness now puts Vancouver Island in the No. 3 position for the infection. Northern Australia is No. 1, followed by Papua New Guinea.
So far this year, B.C. has recorded seven new cases of human infection-- with five on Vancouver Island.
Galanis said that since its arrival in 1999, the number of cases in B.C. has reached 270, with most of them being traced to Vancouver Island.
The fungus lives on trees and in the soil. Infection begins when it is breathed into the lungs.
The disease is taking hold on the mainland and working its way into Washington state and Oregon.
Infection with the fungus can result in head-aches, night sweats, a prolonged cough, fever and weight loss. It can lead to pneumonia or meningitis and can be fatal.
