SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Spring Hill woman’s family and best friend are speaking out after they say she died during a histoplasmosis cluster in Middle Tennessee, which is raising concerns about delayed testing and treatment.
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) has confirmed to FOX 17 News that it has identified 35 cases of histoplasmosis in Williamson and Maury counties as part of its investigation. TDH said a clear source of exposure has not been identified, which the department noted is not uncommon with histoplasmosis.
Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by a fungus that can be found in soil. Symptoms can resemble pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses, including cough, chest pain, fever, chills, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
The family of Alyssia Brown, who lived in Spring Hill with her roommate, says Brown developed a cough shortly after moving into the home in October. Her roommate and best friend, Kimberly Shelton, told FOX 17 News the cough lasted for weeks and did not seem alarming at first…