The death toll from the Joplin tornado tops more than 150 with several deaths linked to a rare fungal infection.  The twister that destroyed much of Joplin on May 22 has now claimed 151 lives.  The new number includes at least three hospital patients who became infected with zygomycosis, a severe fungal infection.  It is an aggressive fungal infection that can be caused by soil or vegetative material becoming embedded under the skin and is found in survivors of natural disasters.

The state health department says it's received reports of 8 suspected deep skin fungal infections in Joplin victims and all sustained trauma from the tornado.  Freeman Health System has apparently treated five tornado victims for the fungal infection and three reportedly died.  Those patients had health problems including multiple traumas and pneumonia.

The most recent death was confirmed late Wednesday.  But health experts say it is difficult to identify the infection as a cause of death since the people infected also suffered from other severe injuries.

Jasper County Coroner Rob Chappel said Friday that his office is still receiving regular reports of people who have died at hospitals after being hurt in the Joplin tornado.  It is the nation’s deadliest tornado in more than six decades.