title: Histoplasmosis associated with a bamboo bonfire--Arkansas, October 2011.
abstract: On October 27, 2011, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) was notified by a northeast Arkansas primary care provider of a cluster of three histoplasmosis cases. On November 4, ADH was notified by a pediatric infectious diseases specialist regarding seven potential cases of pulmonary histoplasmosis associated with a family gathering that included a bonfire that burned bamboo from a grove that had been a red-winged blackbird roost. These reports prompted an outbreak investigation to ensure that the persons involved received appropriate medical care, to identify whether any novel exposures were associated with illness, and to determine whether any factors were associated with hospitalization. The investigation found that, among the 19 attendees at the family gathering, seven were confirmed with histoplasmosis, 11 were probable, and one did not have histoplasmosis.
authors.forename: Dirk T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Haselow
authors.forename: Haytham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Safi
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Holcomb
authors.forename: Nathaniel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Kendall D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Branson B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Bolden
authors.forename: Nada S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Harik
mesh_terms: D001131:Arkansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D031723:Bambusa; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006660:Histoplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male