Skip to main content
Minnesota Department of Health logo
  • Main navigation

    • Home
    • Data, Statistics, and Legislation
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Health Care Facilities, Providers, and Insurance
    • Healthy Communities, Environment, and Workplaces
    • Individual and Family Health
    • About Us
    • News and Announcements
    • Translated Materials

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Data, Statistics, and Legislation
  • Diseases and Conditions
  • Health Care Facilities, Providers, and Insurance
  • Healthy Communities, Environment, and Workplaces
  • Individual and Family Health
  • About Us
  • News and Announcements
  • Translated Materials
MDH Logo

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Diseases and Conditions
  3. Infectious Disease Reporting
  4. Annual Summary of Disease Activity: Disease Control Newsletter
  5. Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2015
Topic Menu

Annual Summary of Disease Activity:
Disease Control Newsletter (DCN)

  • DCN Home
  • Annual Summary, 2020
  • Annual Summary, 2019
  • Annual Summary, 2018
  • Annual Summary, 2017
  • Annual Summary, 2016
  • Annual Summary, 2015
  • Annual Summary, 2014
  • Annual Summary, 2013
  • Annual Summary, 2012
  • Annual Summary, 2011
  • Annual Summary, 2010
  • Annual Summary, 2009
  • Annual Summary, 2008
  • Annual Summary, 2007
  • Annual Summary, 2006
  • Annual Summary, 2005
  • Annual Summary, 2004
  • Annual Summary, 2003
  • Annual Summary, 2002
  • Annual Summary, 2001
  • Annual Summary, 2000
  • Annual Summary, 1999
  • Annual Summary, 1998
  • Annual Summary, 1997

Related Topics

  • Infectious Disease Reporting

Annual Summary of Disease Activity:
Disease Control Newsletter (DCN)

  • DCN Home
  • Annual Summary, 2020
  • Annual Summary, 2019
  • Annual Summary, 2018
  • Annual Summary, 2017
  • Annual Summary, 2016
  • Annual Summary, 2015
  • Annual Summary, 2014
  • Annual Summary, 2013
  • Annual Summary, 2012
  • Annual Summary, 2011
  • Annual Summary, 2010
  • Annual Summary, 2009
  • Annual Summary, 2008
  • Annual Summary, 2007
  • Annual Summary, 2006
  • Annual Summary, 2005
  • Annual Summary, 2004
  • Annual Summary, 2003
  • Annual Summary, 2002
  • Annual Summary, 2001
  • Annual Summary, 2000
  • Annual Summary, 1999
  • Annual Summary, 1998
  • Annual Summary, 1997

Related Topics

  • Infectious Disease Reporting
Contact Info
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
IDEPC Comment Form

Contact Info

Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
IDEPC Comment Form

Blastomycosis, 2015

Blastomycosis is caused by the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, which exists as a mold in the environment and as a pathogenic yeast form in the body. The reservoir for B. dermatitidis is moist soil enriched with decomposing organic debris. The fungus is endemic in Ontario, Manitoba, and the south-central, south-eastern, and mid-western United States. Transmission occurs by inhalation of spores after disturbance of contaminated soil.

In 2015, there were 34 reported blastomycosis cases. This is similar to the 32 cases reported in 2014, and 34 in 2013. The median age of the cases was 45 years (range, 5 to 75 years); 27 cases (79%) were male. Twentyseven cases were white, 1 (3%) was black, 2 (6%) were American Indian, 3 (9%) were Asian/Pacific Islander, and 1 was of unknown race. Twenty-four (71%) cases were hospitalized for a median of 6.5 days (range, 2 to 53 days). In 1 case, blastomycosis was a contributing factor to death. Twentyfive (73%) cases had pulmonary infections, 4 (12%) cases had extrapulmonary infections, and 5 (15%) had disseminated infections.

From 1999 to 2015, 544 blastomycosis cases were reported; the median number of cases annually is 33 (range, 22 to 49). Exposure information is available for 429 cases. The largest number of cases, 111 (26%), were likely exposed in St. Louis County, 42 (10%) cases were likely exposed in Itasca County, 26 (6%) in Cass County, 14 (3%) in Beltrami County, and 14 (3%) in Chisago County. (see Figure 2 for endemic counties).

figure two shows map of minnesota with cases by county

  • For up to date information see>> Blastomycosis (Blastomyces dermatitidis)
  • Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2015
Tags
  • reportable
Last Updated: 10/20/2022

Get email updates


Minnesota Department of Health logo

Privacy Policy
Equal Opportunity
Translated Materials
Feedback Form
About MDH
Minnesota.gov
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linked In
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
Minnesota Department of Health Minnesota Department of health print search share facebook instagram linkedin twitter youtube