CDC Warns Cat-Borne Fungus That Infected 11,000 Will Reach US
Updated
Updated · Boing Boing · Jun 24
CDC Warns Cat-Borne Fungus That Infected 11,000 Will Reach US
1 articles · Updated · Boing Boing · Jun 24
Summary
Sporothrix brasiliensis is expected to arrive in the United States, with CDC mycologist Shawn Lockhart telling Science News it is "just a matter of time" and "We're waiting."
More than 11,000 people across South America have been infected since the fungus emerged in Brazil in the 1990s, alongside thousands of sickened cats carrying oozing skin ulcers and systemic disease.
Cats spread it unusually easily because the fungus stays infectious in its yeast form, passing through bites, scratches, grooming and even sneezing mucus that can contaminate surfaces for weeks.
Human infections often happen during treatment attempts, Lockhart said, when owners trying to force pills into infected cats get scratched — underscoring why the pathogen is seen as a likely US spillover risk.
As a deadly fungus spreads from cats to people, are pet import rules strong enough to stop it?
A deadly cat fungus is now in the US, so why is there still no specific test for it?
One drug beats this fungus's mature defenses, so why do doctors prefer another for treatment?
Sporothrix brasiliensis on the Brink: South American Fungal Epidemic Threatens U.S. via Stray Cats
Overview
Sporothrix brasiliensis is an aggressive fungal pathogen spreading rapidly across South America, reaching Uruguay by 2025 and raising alarms among U.S. public health authorities, including the CDC. Its established presence in neighboring regions and proven capacity for broad geographical expansion make its introduction across the U.S. border an imminent threat. Warnings about its potential to establish in the United States are anticipated or already issued for 2026. This situation highlights the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and preparedness to prevent the fungus from gaining a foothold and threatening both human and animal health.