At least one person has died, and 96 others are unwell or very unwell, in an outbreak of Blastomycosis – which is an infection caused by a fungus called Blastomyces – at a northwest Michigan paper mill. Federal investigators are investigating this unprecedented number of a rare and potentially deadly fungal infection.
The fungus lives in the environment, particularly in moist soil and in decomposing matter such as wood and leaves.
It is known to occur in this area of the USA. People who work in paper mills, or who participate in outdoor activities that expose them to wooded areas (such as forestry work, hunting, and camping) are at higher risk for getting blastomycosis.
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Blastomyces fungus
There are 21 confirmed cases, where labs have been able to spot the fungus in samples collected from people with symptoms. An additional 76 cases are considered “probable,” with those people having showed symptoms and tested positive in an antibody or antigen test.
Miliary blastomycosis that progressed to diffuse, dense consolidation in a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
A contractor who worked at the mill died after being diagnosed with blastomycosis, the health department said. His name was not immediately released. At least 12 people are in hospital.
All cases are among workers, contractors or visitors of a paper and packaging materials plant in the Michigan town of Escanaba, which is now temporarily shut.
More information on the outbreak here.
More about blastomycosis here.
