State officials say one person has died as a result of a blastomycosis outbreak this summer on the Little Wolf River.
The state Department of Health said there was a death from the fungal disease, which affected nearly 90 people. The agency is not releasing any more information because the death does not have to be officially reported to the agency.
The latest figures show there were 49 confirmed blastomycosis cases and 40 probable ones tied to the river, located near New London. People can catch the disease when they disturb the ground along a shoreline, and inhale fungal spores. Exposure can potentially cause serious infections that mainly affect the lungs.
The first people to be exposed to the disease were on the river around the Memorial Day weekend.
WHBY