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RIVER RED GUM DISEASE IN HUMANSARBORISTS & PEST CONTROLLERS BEWARE14th August 2000 -- Potentially Fatal Infection
Recently, a Sydney arborist spent a month in hospital with a severe and potentially fatal infection. This rare and only newly recognised disease attacks the brain and spinal cord, giving rise to meningitis like symptoms, and is definitely fatal if unrecognised and untreated. The disease is caused by a relatively common fungus associated with the bloodwood group of eucalypts, those trees which have been recently reclassified as Genus Corymbia. The fungus has also been isolated from Angophora costata, so it may be present in the entire Myrtacae family. The name, Red River Gum Disease, came from the fact that the fungus involved was first isolated from Corymbia comaldulensis, and was subsequently discovered in all other bloodwoods. The fungus is Cryptococcus neoformans, this fungus has two sub-species, C. neoformans neoformans & C. neoformans gatti. Both these sub-species have the potential to cause the disease in humans. The disease which was first described as early as 1894, but was only linked to trees in the late 1970's causes infection of the brain and the spinal cord or in other words the central nervous system. The fungus is generally related to the decay of the heartwood of the tree, although the fungus is also found in the soil. The life cycle of the fungus has adapted to the flowering cycle of the tree it infests. Fungal spores are released together with the flowering of the tree, along with other spores, pollens and dusts that present in the air. The potential of the disease is in the air we breathe. The fungal spores of the disease are also commonly found in bird droppings, particularly pigeon droppings and pigeon nests. It would appear that the fungus travels on tree seeds, as both the fungus and the disease have been found in many countries that have extensive plantings of bloodwoods. What are the symptoms of the Disease Typical symptoms are a persistent headache of increasing severity, stiffness of the neck which reduces movement, and an inability for the chin to touch the chest. Other possible symptoms include blurred vision and difficulty to concentrate, both of which directly affect the ability to do complex tasks such as driving. These symptoms are also typical of meningitis, as meninga is the part of the brain that is attacked by the fungus. If any of these symptoms are apparent it is important to see a doctor immediately. If left untreated, the symptoms progress to skin lesions, bone lesions and ultimate death. How to prevent being infected with Red River Gum Disease Everybody is exposed to the spores when trees flower. Is is therefore impossible to wear respirators and filters while near trees. The best chance of minimising the exposure is to ensure both personal hygiene and equipment hygiene. It is important to wear respirators and filters when cutting and/or drilling trees as any crevice or cavity may harbour the fungus. The equipment needs to be thoroughly cleaned, clothing washed and skin washed thoroughly after working on any individual tree. Whether the fungus is present in chips and mulch, or even fire wood, is unknown, but as the fungus is known to be involved in the wood rotting process, it would be prudent to assume that it is there. Workcover is currently not actively involved in policing this disease, as it is so rare, and it is impossible to avoid the fungal spores in any case. Being pro-active, and eliminating possible places of continued infection, should also prevent any heavy handed response from the insurance or health industries. For More Information Contact: |
Stephen Koelewyn - NSW Builders Licence 45109c - Building Consultant Licence BC213 - Pest Control Licence 2025Home
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