Facts and Stats About Histoplasmosis

Key points

  • Histoplasmosis is not a nationally reportable disease.
  • The average annual incidence is between 1 to 2 cases per 100,000 population.
  • Death rates are generally around 5%, though higher rates among adults have been reported.
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Estimated trends

There are challenges in estimating statistics and trends on histoplasmosis. Not everyone that is exposed to Histoplasma gets sick and many cases go undiagnosed. It is reportable in 14 states.

People get histoplasmosis in certain areas in the United States particularly around Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. Around 60-90% of people living in that area are exposed to Histoplasma in their lifetime.

Among states where histoplasmosis is reportable, average annual incidence is between 1 to 2 cases per 100,000 population. However, state-specific annual incidence ranges from 0 to 7 cases per 100,000 population according to recent surveillance data.

Death rates

Among people who are hospitalized with histoplasmosis, death rates generally range from 5% to 7%.

The overall mortality rate for histoplasmosis is likely lower than these estimates because these studies did not include patients who had less severe forms of the infection.

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Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)