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MDHHS and partners support a continuum of prevention services. The continuum is inclusive of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention activities. Visit this page to learn more.
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Blastomycosis is a fungal disease. The organism Blastomyces causes blastomycosis. The fungal disease happens when a person breathes in fungal spores from infected soil or other decomposing matter that is disturbed (e.g., digging in dirt, raking leaves).1, 2 Anyone can get blastomycosis if they have been in an area where Blastomyces lives. In Michigan, the fungus lives most often in areas surrounding the Great Lakes.2 Some wooded outdoor activities like forestry work, hunting and camping increase exposure risk.3
Infections typically cause symptoms of pneumonia.1 Infection can be severe in some people, such as those with weakened immune systems.3
Between 2018 and 2022, an average of 25 human cases of blastomycosis were reported each year to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Blastomycosis data are available on the MiTracking Data Portal
Blastomyces is a dimorphic fungus, which means it exists in two different forms, mold and yeast, based on temperature. It grows as a mold at outside air temperatures. The mold develops spores called conidia. Disturbing contaminated soil or decomposing matter can lead to breathing in fungal spores. The spores then transform into a yeast at higher temperatures found inside the human body. The yeast can stay in the lungs or spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.2
For more information, visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Blastomycosis Basics.
Anyone can get blastomycosis if they have been in an area where Blastomyces lives.2 People from certain racial and ethnic groups may have higher rates of fungal diseases like Blastomyces infection or hospitalization.3
Some people are at higher risk for severe illness, including3:
Is blastomycosis contagious?
For more information, visit CDC - Risk Factors for Blastomycosis.
About half of the people infected with Blastomyces have symptoms.2 Symptoms begin about three weeks to three months after breathing in fungal spores. Blastomycosis usually affects the lungs causing symptoms of pneumonia.1 Symptoms may include4:
The infection can become severe if it spreads. It can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body such as the skin, bones and joints, organs, brain and spinal cord.2
For more information, visit CDC – Symptoms of Blastomycosis.
Completely avoiding the fungus may not be possible in areas where blastomycosis risk is higher. Half of people who breathe in the spores do not get sick.1, 2, 3 People with weakened immune systems should avoid activities that disrupt the soil.
Some ways to help reduce risk are3:
For more information, visit CDC - Risk Factors for Blastomycosis.
Healthcare providers can test for blastomycosis by collecting a blood or urine sample. Samples go to a laboratory. Your healthcare provider will order more tests as needed.1
In pneumonia patients who are not getting better on antibiotics, physicians should rule out blastomycosis or other fungal infections.1
Most people with blastomycosis symptoms are treated with prescription antifungal medication.1, 3
For more information, visit CDC - Fungal Diseases.
Blastomycosis is reportable in certain states, including Michigan. Physicians and laboratories are required to report suspected cases of blastomycosis to the Michigan Disease Surveillance System or the local health department.
These data are supplied by MDHHS Emerging Zoonotic Infectious Disease (EZID) Section for MiTracking.
For additional data information, visit:
Chapman SW, Dismukes WE, Proia LA, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Blastomycosis: 2008 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clinical infectious diseases. 2008;46(12):1801-1812. doi:10.1086/588300
