What is already known on this topic?
Cases of histoplasmosis have been reported in every continent except Antarctica but are fairly rare in China. High prevalence of histoplasmosis has been observed in Central America, Caribbean, and South America. Infections of Histoplasma are acquired through a respiratory route, particularly inhalation of aerosols from disturbed soils enriched with excreta from birds and bats. These infections are most common in persons involved with removing soil, visiting caves, cleaning old houses, or felling trees, etc.
What is added by this report?
This is the first report of cluster infections of Histoplasmaamong overseas Chinese workers. A strong dose-dependent association of illness onset and disease severity with the exposure intensity to the soils and wastes possibly contaminated by the Histoplasmahas been proposed. Long labor times, repeated entering of contaminated tunnels, working in high-dust environments are likely to result in earlier illness onsets, more severe clinical courses, and even fatal outcomes. More importantly, none of the patients used reliable personal protection equipment (PPE), such as common masks while working, that would prevent the inhalation of more Histoplasmaspores.
What are the implications for public health practice?
The epidemiological findings of this outbreak investigation highlight a probable risk of infection with Histoplasma when entering without PPE into the environment with bats living around, such as caves or mines. Effective education and communication might be needed among residents and travelers. This outbreak expands our knowledge of the control and prevention of fungal disease in China.
Copyright and License information: Editorial Office of CCDCW, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2019.