More About Cryptococcus gattii
When Mike became sick and wasn't getting a diagnosis from doctors, I went on-line and began researching his symptoms on medical sites. Because of where we live, his symptoms and the fact that Mike was such an outdoors person, my mother's instinct led me to searching for information on Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii). I knew about C. gattii because of the media attention it received in 2002 when it was discovered in a park along the east coast of Vancouver Island. At age 26 and healthy, Mike did not fit 'the profile' of those considered at risk for this disease.
Finding local information on this disease was not as easy as it should have been. Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) did not have it listed on their A-Z index. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) site did have information on Cryptococcus gattii listing some of the symptoms that Mike had. However, there wasn't any information saying that this disease could affect healthy individuals.
C. gattii information is now easier to find. The BCCDC site has been updated and states that Cryptococcus gattii affects both immunocompetent (healthy immune system) and people with compromised immune systems. Although VIHA still does not provide the information regarding C. gattii affecting healthy people, their information sheet has been updated (Jan. 26, 2012). On the Healthlink B.C. site, the C. gattii fact sheet has not been updated since June 2005.
C. gattii is a reportable disease in British Columbia but not across Canada. There are individuals who have contracted this disease while visiting Vancouver Island but they are not included in the statistics. You can view the statistics up to and including 2009 by following links on the BCCDC site.
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The B.C. Centre for Disease Control website provides a list of symptoms and general information about C. gattii. At the top of the home page go to "Diseases and Conditions." On the A - Z index click on "Cryptococcal Disease." Click on "Overview." For C. gattii statistics, go to "Current Statistics and Research" on the home page; click on "BCCDC Annual Reports". Under "Reportable Diseases" you will find reports for 1998 to 2009. The C. gattii statistics for 2009 are on pages 114 & 115.
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Deadly Fungus in B.C. (CBC News, The National)
Click on the CBC link provided above to view a short documentary about Cryptococcus gattii on Vancouver Island. CBC National News presented this informative documentary in May 2009.
This short documentary has valuable information about C. gattii on Vancouver Island—well worth watching.
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This is a University of British Columbia research site which provides excellent information for residents, visitors and physicians. The site also provides the veterinarian aspect of this disease. From this site you can link to media coverage for C. gattii as well as publications and BCCDC statistics.
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www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices.aspx
Under diseases click on Communicable Disease fact sheets; click on C and then Cryptococcus gattii.
This government website is from the Seattle area of Washington State. The information on C. gattii is designed for health care providers but is very good information for everyone to have.
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The Vancouver Island Health Authority has recently updated their website. Information regarding C. gattii is now easier to locate. Click on 'health information', then 'Cryptococcal Disease'.
IF WE ONLY KNEW THEN WHAT WE KNOW TODAY.
WE MISS YOU SO MUCH MIKE AND WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER.