Multiple news outlets have reported that an ongoing histoplasmosis outbreak in Williamson and Maury counties in Middle Tennessee has affected at least 35 confirmed cases, according to the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), with investigations still underway to identify a clear source of exposure.

Histoplasmosis, a fungal lung infection caused by inhaling spores commonly present in Tennessee soil—often linked to bird or bat droppings or disturbed soil—can mimic pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses, with symptoms including cough, fever, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Severe cases are more likely in those exposed to high spore levels or with weakened immune systems, though the fungus is endemic in the region and hard to fully prevent.

Families are sharing personal stories to raise awareness and urge prompt testing. In one tragic case, Alyssia Brown from Spring Hill developed a persistent cough after moving into a new home in October 2025; despite multiple medical visits initially treated as bronchitis (including with steroids that her family believes worsened her condition), she was only tested for histoplasmosis days before her death on December 15, 2025. Her positive test results came back posthumously on December 18, prompting her mother and best friend/roommate to speak out about delays in recognition and testing, even after a TDH health alert was issued to providers on December 3, 2025. They emphasize advocating persistently for testing if symptoms persist.

Survivors include 14-year-old Eli Stinson from Thompson’s Station, who fell ill with a persistent fever starting on Halloween 2025. His mother, Cari, described how her once-athletic son became extremely exhausted despite repeated negative tests for other conditions until she learned about histoplasmosis from an article and pushed for the specific test, which confirmed the diagnosis. The family suspects possible links to local construction or soil disturbance near areas like June Lake, as multiple households in their neighborhood have been affected. Eli has recovered enough to resume activities but still experiences lingering fatigue, earning him the nickname “mushroom boy” from classmates.

Both families hope their experiences encourage others to seek targeted testing and contribute to uncovering the outbreak’s cause, as TDH continues its investigation without a pinpointed source. To reduce risk, officials recommend avoiding soil-disturbing activities or wearing N-95 masks during high-risk tasks like remodeling, gardening, or cleaning areas with bird/bat droppings.