to the next person. image:Stephanie Rossow, MSMI/Pooja Gandhi/CDC.
According to health experts, a Michigan paper mill is linked to almost 100 confirmed or suspected instances of a rare fungal infection.
The local health department in Michigan has identified a total of 93 confirmed or probable cases of blastomycosis in Delta and Menominee counties. These cases are suspected to be linked to a paper mill located in the town of Escanaba.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), blastomycosis is caused by the fungus Blastomyces, which is commonly found in moist soil and decomposing organic matter such as wood or leaves in the environment. It is most prevalent in the Midwest and South regions of the United States, particularly around the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and the Great Lakes.
The CDC further notes that blastomycosis is a relatively rare disease, with only one or two reported cases per 100,000 people each year in states where it is a reportable condition. A recent analysis revealed a total of 1,216 deaths associated with blastomycosis between 1990 and 2010.
Blastomycosis is typically contracted by breathing in microscopic fungal spores from the environment, and while most people may not get sick, some may develop symptoms such as fever or cough within three weeks to three months, as stated by the CDC. Other possible symptoms may include chest pain, difficulty breathing, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, and muscle or joint pain, as noted by Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties. In rare cases, the infection may spread beyond the lungs to other parts of the body such as the skin, bones, brain, and spinal cord.
It’s important to note that blastomycosis is not contagious and does not spread from person to person. Treatment typically involves antifungal medication, which may need to be taken for a period of six months to a year, depending on the severity of the illness and the overall health of the individual.
Out of the 93 cases associated with the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill, 19 have been confirmed through culture or microscope examinations, while the remaining 74 are considered probable as they exhibit symptoms of blastomycosis along with positive antigen or antibody tests, according to the local health department.
In response to the situation, Billerud Escanaba Mill Operations Vice President Brian Peterson stated that the company is taking the matter seriously and following recommendations from health and government officials. He further added that proactive measures are being implemented to ensure the health and safety of their employees, contractors, and visitors, despite the source of the infection not being established yet.