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The Tennessee Department of Health has now identified 36 cases of the fungal infection histoplasmosis in Williamson and Maury counties, the department confirmed with Williamson Scene Friday.

The infection stems from inhaling spores from soil contaminated with bird or bat feces. It is not passed from person to person, and many who do inhale the spores do not get sick. So far, it has claimed one life, Alyssia Brown, whose test results showing she was positive for the disease came back days after her death, NewsChannel5 reported. 

The department has not identified a source of exposure, though NewsChannel5 reported that several of the cases the station investigated were located near the June Lake and Buckner Road interchange. 

TDH issued an advisory on Dec. 3 alerting clinicians and laboratories that there were 18 known cases, and requested that they report any additional cases to the department. The cases began popping up in September. 

"Histoplasmosis is commonly found throughout the soil in Tennessee, so it can be challenging to completely prevent exposure," Bill Christian, spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Health, wrote Williamson Scene in a statement. "Those who have weakened immune systems or are exposed to a large amount of histoplasmosis spores face a higher risk of severe infection."

In order to avoid exposure, individuals should avoid activities that "disturb the soil or increase exposure to plant matter or bird or bat droppings," Christian wrote. Those activities include cleaning chicken coops, exploring caves, gardening and yard work. Histoplasmosis is also commonly associated with remodeling or demolition of old buildings or the clearing of trees in which birds have roosted. 

The fungal infection is endemic to Tennessee, meaning it regularly occurs here. Common symptoms include fever, headache, cough, shortness of breath and chest pain. If caught early enough, the infection is very treatable with antifungal medicines. 

The Williamson County Health Department declined to make a statement on the outbreak.