Lung Association staffers get lung disease

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Seven staff members of the American Lung Association in Iowa have been diagnosed with a lung disease called histoplasmosis.

Health officials told KCCI-TV in Des Moines that having that many cases of the disease in a single office is rare. Michael Mark of the association said the Des Moines office was closed Wednesday for decontamination.

Dr. Greg Hicklin of the Polk County Health Department said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control would assist in the investigation. He said histoplasmosis, caused by a fungus, is common in Iowa, although most people exposed to it never develop symptoms.

In most cases, the symptoms resemble flu.