Ironic Lungus

An outbreak of a sometimes dangerous lung ailment histoplasmosis has struck again, and with amazing luck. The affected group? Associates of the American Lung Association.

Doctors began reporting cases of histoplasmosis, an unusual disease caused by a fungus, eventually confirming 36 cases, with 12 potential others. After several dead ends, an investigation led to the 139 year old governor's mansion, near downtown Des Moines.

While the initial cases of histoplasmosis involved people associated with the American Lung Association's state chapter, not all of them had visited the group's headquarters. They had, however, attended an association event at the governor's mansion on in November.

The ailment is caused by an airborne fungus from bird or bat droppings, sometimes kicked up during remodeling of an old building. Officials have noted that there was some construction at the location around the time of the Lung Association event. That might have been enough of a disturbance to put the offending spores in the air.