Cryptococcus is a tiny (microscopic) yeast-like fungus. A species of this fungus, called Cryptococcus gattii, has been living on trees and in the soil on the east coast of Vancouver Island since at least 1999. More recently it has also been found in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions. Infrequently, people and animals (e.g. cats, dogs, llamas, porpoises) exposed to this fungus become sick with cryptococcal disease (or cryptococcosis). Cryptococcosis can affect the lungs (pneumonia) and nervous system (meningitis) in humans. It affects people with healthy and weakened immune system. In rare cases, this disease can be fatal.
Each year in B.C., 10-25 people become sick from cryptococcosis and about 16% die from the disease. People over 50 years of age, those who take oral steroids, smokers, those with chronic lung disease and those with immunocompromising conditions (e.g. HIV infection, cancer, organ transplant) are at a higher risk of disease.