Deadly Fungus Spreading in North America

Could this be the next swine flu? A deadly fungus that typically affects those with weak immune systems (such as AIDS patients) has been spreading among healthy animals and adults in the United States and Canada, according to scientists. Cyroptococcus gattii has infected a total of 270 patients in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and caused 40 deaths so far after mutating from its original form, a change scientists speculate could be caused by climate change. Though the fungus typically is found in wooded areas, one researcher said, “The outbreak may continue to expand into the neighboring region of Northern California, and possibly further.”