“Outbreak of Blastomycosis Sickens 109 at Michigan Paper Mill”

In the United States, following the deadly fungal infection in Wisconsin in March, a recent outbreak of blastomycosis (Blastomycosis) occurred in Michigan. State health authorities confirmed an outbreak of blastomycosis at a paper mill. At least 109 people became ill, one died and 13 were hospitalized. The paper mill has been temporarily closed.

According to “Daily Mail” and “CNN” reports, the Billerud paper mill where the fungal infection broke out is located in Escanaba, a town in northwest Michigan. Production of paper and packaging materials. The mill’s first employee infections were reported on February 28, and local health officials said one contractor died after being diagnosed with blastomycosis; 13 others were hospitalized. All cases are linked to this paper mill, including employees, contractors, visitors.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the patients with the disease developed symptoms after inhaling blastomyces spores. The symptoms were similar to those of respiratory diseases, such as fever, fatigue, cough, chest pain and muscle pain. been diagnosed. Generally speaking, the environment of damp soil or rotting wood and leaves is conducive to the proliferation of blastomyces. If human beings come into contact with such an environment, they will be infected and spread from the lungs to joints, bones, brain, spine and other parts of the body. Doctors are needed Antifungal medications are prescribed.

Because the fungus is uncommon but deadly, investigators from the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have been asked by paper mill owners to Go to the paper mill to understand the situation.

Occasional cases of blastomycosis have been reported in North America, from the Midwest to the Southwest. According to data from the CDC, a total of 240 cases were reported in the United States in 2019. Due to the risk of death due to blastomycosis, those with weakened immune systems or failure to diagnose and treat early have a particularly high risk of death. In addition, CDC statistics also show that from 1990 to 2010, There were 1,216 blastomycosis-related deaths nationwide.