I saw that too, Jan!
It said it's due to "global warming and greenhouse gases?!" Who could know this?
They also said it's more "virulent" and affects people previously immune. I have always been resistant to it, not really bothered, and my female neighbor said she had never been bothered previously as well, but we were both comparing our blistery breakouts on our skin! This tree towers over the 8 foot privacy fence from the neighbor's yard, and though I went over and lopped several huge trunk vines, it didn't make a dent in it!
I'm going to tell them Freewill's advice about "ivy blocker" before they tackle it for removal. The husband says he's planning to take out the whole section of fence.
Patty