K-9 officer in Wisconsin, USA first blastomycosis victim of 2012 (fungal disease)

[Emily]

http://centralwisconsinhub.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20120315/WDH0101/203150458/K-9-officer-first-blastomycosis-victim-of-2012?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|FRONTPAGE

K-9 officer first blastomycosis victim of 2012
Early spring could mean more cases this year
2:16 AM, Mar. 15, 2012

Officer Lopes-Serrao and the late Officer Chip
[snip]
Blastomycosis is a fungal infection that can strike both animals and humans. The rare disease develops when spores of B. dermatitidis fungus are inhaled, usually establishing a primary infection in the lungs. The skin, eyes, bones and lymph nodes also can be infected. Dogs with blastomycosis cannot transmit the disease to humans, and it cannot be transmitted from person to person.

A report released by the Wisconsin Division of Health and Family Services indicated that the highest incidences of blastomycosis infection in both humans and canines in Wisconsin have occurred in north central areas of the state, especially Lincoln and Marathon counties. About 50 human cases typically are reported each year, while the number of canine cases can reach 5,000 annually...