Histoplasmosis

General Information

Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. Approximately 10 cases are reported each year in Wisconsin.

Many people infected with histoplasmosis do not become ill. When a person develops symptoms, it usually involves the lungs and is characterized by weakness, chills, fever, muscle aches, chest pains, and a dry cough. Chronic lung infections resemble tuberculosis and may progress over months or years.

Histoplasma capsulatum is found throughout the world, including in the United States. The fungus often grows in soil around chicken houses, areas harboring bats, in caves, and under starling and blackbird roosts.

Histoplasmosis fact sheet, P-42058

Provider Information

This is a Wisconsin disease surveillance category II disease:

• Report to the patient's local public health department electronically, through the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Communicable Disease case report, F-44151 (Word) or by other means within 72 hours upon recognition of a case.
• Information on communicable disease reporting

Wisconsin case reporting and public health follow-up guidelines

• Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol (EpiNet): P-01914 Histoplasmosis (PDF) 8/2017
• Histoplasmosis case worksheet, F-02086