More than 11,000 people, thousands of cats and at least 200 dogs have been infected by Sporothrix brasiliensis since the fungus emerged in Brazil in the 1990s, and CDC adviser Shawn Lockhart said U.S. arrival is "just a matter of time."
Brazil's outbreak has already spread to Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, with officials warning one traveler bringing an infected cat could seed the fungus in U.S. cities or rural farm-cat populations.
Cats drive transmission because bites, scratches, grooming and even sneezing can spread the yeast form directly to other cats, dogs and people—an unusual trait for this group of fungi.
Untreated infection is 100% fatal in cats and can also become severe in people with weakened immune systems; the fungus can survive on surfaces for up to 10 weeks but is killed by bleach and ethanol.
No commercial test exists, and cats entering the United States need only a health certificate, leaving veterinarians as the likely first line of detection if cases appear.
As a deadly fungus spreads via cats, why are U.S. import regulations and diagnostic tests still unprepared?
A fatal cat fungus has already jumped to humans and crossed an ocean. Could this be the start of the next pandemic?
This 'terrifying' fungus creates drug-resistant biofilms. Is this the new frontline in the war on antimicrobial resistance?
Sporothrix brasiliensis on the Move: How a South American Fungal Epidemic in Cats Threatens Global Health
Overview
Sporotrichosis, a serious fungal disease caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis, first appeared in Brazil in the 1980s and has since spread widely across South America, including Chile and Argentina. This large-scale outbreak is mainly driven by domestic cats, which carry high loads of the fungus and easily transmit it to other animals and humans through bites, scratches, and contact with lesions or droplets. The strong presence of the disease in cats has made them the primary source of infection, fueling the regional outbreak and raising international concerns about further spread.