MARYSVILLE, Wash. -- A Whatcom County girl is recovering, weeks after she was infected by a rare and potentially deadly tropical fungus.

Spores from the fungus -- found on trees, in soil and in water -- have made their way from British Columbia to Whatcom County, where health officials said at least four residents have been infected.

Courtney Blomeen, 16, said her lungs are so weak she can barely walk up the stairs of her Whatcom County home.

"If I just walk a teeny bit, I feel like I can't walk at all," Blomeen told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News. "They told me my lungs were two days away from collapsing."

She said about six weeks ago, she went to the doctor after feeling pains in her right shoulder. The pain spread to her lungs, so doctors took X-rays and found nodules. The doctors at first thought she had an advanced case of lung cancer.

It turned out to be the rare fungus Cryptococcus gattii, which is usually found in tropical climates.

After two weeks in the hospital, her lung capacity is half of normal.

Symptoms include a cough lasting weeks or months, chest pains or headaches and shortness of breath.

Out of about a million people who are exposed to the fungus annually in the province, 20 to 30 become seriously ill and a total of about eight have died, British Columbia health officials say.

Most British Columbia residents who contracted the illness had healthy immune systems, but 45 percent -- like the Blaine teenager -- were smokers, and 73 percent had smoked at one time.

Other ailments also may be a factor, Stern said, noting that one of those who died of the fungus in Whatcom County had a compromised immune system from other factors.