Hurricane-Associated Mold Exposures Among Patients at Risk for Invasive Mold Infections After Hurricane Harvey — Houston, Texas, 2017 | MMWR

Hurricane-Associated Mold Exposures Among Patients at Risk for Invasive Mold Infections After Hurricane Harvey — Houston, Texas, 2017 | MMWR

Hurricane-Associated Mold Exposures Among Patients at Risk for Invasive Mold Infections After Hurricane Harvey — Houston, Texas, 2017

Weekly / May 31, 2019 / 68(21);469–473

Nancy A. Chow, PhD1; Mitsuru Toda, PhD1,2; Audrey F. Pennington, PhD2,3; Enock Anassi, MD4; Robert L. Atmar, MD5; Jean M. Cox-Ganser, PhD6; Juliana Da Silva, MD2,7; Bobbiejean Garcia, MPH8; Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis, MD9; Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, MD10; Lauren M. Leining, MPH5,11; Jennifer McCarty, MPH12; Mayar Al Mohajer, MD5,12; Bhavini Patel Murthy, MD2,13; Ju-Hyeong Park, ScD6; Joann Schulte, DO14; Jennifer A. Shuford, MD8; Kimberly A. Skrobarcek, MD2,15; Samantha Solomon16,17; Jonathan Strysko, MD1,2; Tom M. Chiller, MD1; Brendan R. Jackson, MD1; Ginger L. Chew, ScD3; Karlyn D. Beer, PhD1 (View author affiliations)

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Immunosuppressed persons are at risk for invasive mold infections and should avoid exposures such as those present during hurricane and flood cleanup activities.

What is added by this report?

Among a convenience sample of immunosuppressed residents in the Hurricane Harvey-affected area of Houston, Texas, 49% engaged in cleanup activities in water-damaged or mold-contaminated homes. Use of respiratory protection was low.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Health care providers should advise immunosuppressed persons to avoid exposure to water-damaged and mold-contaminated areas to reduce their risk for invasive mold infections.