ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Another 20 cases of a fungal infection have been identified by public health officials among employees of an Escanaba paper mill.
Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties (PHDM) has identified a total of 35 cases of blastomycosis infections among Billerud Paper Mill employees. The first cases were reported on February 28, 2023. A total of 15 cases were being investigated by March 10, 2023.
In addition to the 35 total confirmed/probable cases, another nine are awaiting test results.
PHDM and Billerud leaders have not yet identified the direct cause of the infections.
You can read the full press release from March, 17, 2023 below:
On February 28, 2023, Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties (PHDM) was first notified of several atypical pneumonia infections in individuals employed at the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill. To date, there have been thirty-five cases of blastomycosis identified (confirmed or probable) among mill workers and an additional nine cases that are awaiting test results.
PHDM, Billerud and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are communicating daily regarding this investigation. PHDM has interviewed the individuals identified by healthcare providers as having blastomycosis. These interviews assist in determining the approximate timeframe of when the exposure occurred, where the exposure occurred, and possibly how to prevent further exposures to additional individuals.
Blastomycosis is a disease associated with a fungus that grows in moist soil and decomposing matter, such as wood and leaves. People can get blastomycosis infection by breathing in fungal spores from the air. Blastomycosis does not spread from person to person or between animals and people. People at higher risk of contracting the disease include those who:
· Spend time near moist soil (by lakes and rivers)
· Participate in activities such as forestry work, hunting, and camping in wooded areas
· Are exposed to disturbed soil
“The health and safety of our Escanaba employees has been and continues to be our first priority,” said Brian Peterson, Operations Vice President, Billerud Escanaba Mill. “Though no causal link to our mill has been confirmed, we are taking this matter very seriously and have taken a number of proactive steps.”
Peterson said these steps include:
· Conducting extensive cleaning of common areas and inspecting ventilation systems and filters as well as testing raw materials coming into the mill, based on guidance from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA)
· Retention of an industrial hygienist to assist with the investigation
· Providing N95 masks to all employees, along with information on how to properly wear the mask
· Requesting the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) to perform a health hazard evaluation focused on studying Escanaba Mill employees’ health and safety as well as the wider community
“We will continue to closely communicate with local union leadership, state and local public health officials and our communities,” he added.
Michael Snyder, Health Officer of PHDM said, “While the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan is a known risk area for blastomycosis infection, it should be noted that these infections are exceedingly rare. Most people who breathe in blastomycosis will not get sick.”
Those who do get sick can develop symptoms such as cough (sometimes with blood), fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, muscle aches, and joint pain. Persons experiencing these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.
While there currently is not a vaccine available to prevent the illness, blastomycosis can be treated with antifungal medications prescribed by a medical provider. Treatment is most effective when started as soon as possible after diagnosis by a healthcare provider.
The following tips may reduce a person’s risk of exposure:
· Wear personal protective equipment (facemasks or respirators, eye protection, and gloves) when engaging in higher risk activities
· Only move leaf litter when it is dry
· Avoid moving or digging soil on windy days
· Cover soil and yard materials
· Ensure water has adequate drainage and doesn’t pool near work areas
· Install walkways over wet areas to prevent walking through and disturbing muddy soil
A specific source of the blastomyces fungus causing this outbreak has not been identified. Because the fungus is common in the environment in the UP, identifying a specific source or exposure can be difficult. Health officials are making every effort to identify any exposures common among the ill individuals.
PHDM and Billerud will continue to provide updates about cases at the Escanaba mill and the community at large. Please contact PHDM with any questions by calling: (906) 786-4111.
Original story: March 10, 2023, 12:40 p.m.
Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties (PHDM) is investigating 15 cases of atypical pneumonia infections in employees at the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill.
PHDM was first notified February 28, 2023 of “several” infections among Billerud employees. The symptoms in those individuals first began in January and February.
PHDM said the test results showed the infections may be caused by a fungal infection called blastomycosis. According to PHDM, it’s a fungal disease associated with a fungus that grow in moist soil and decomposing matter such as wood and leaves.
It is not contagious, as infections are caused by breathing in fungal spores. Treatment is said to be effective when started soon after symptoms begin.
PHDM said infections are “exceedingly rare.” An average of 26 cases annually have been reported across the state in the past five years.
WZMQ has reached out to Billerud for comment but has not received a response at this time.
The full press release from PHDM updated on March 9 is below:
On February 28, 2023, Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties (PHDM) was notified of several atypical pneumonia infections in individuals employed at the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill. To date, there have been fifteen cases identified that are being investigated. The symptoms for these patients began in January and February of this year. Early testing has indicated that these infections may be caused by a fungal infection called blastomycosis. Additional testing to confirm these results may take a couple of weeks and is underway.
Blastomycosis is a fungal disease associated with a fungus that grows in moist soil and decomposing matter such as wood and leaves. People can get blastomycosis infection by breathing in fungal spores from the air. Blastomycosis does not spread from person to person or between animals and people. People who spend time near moist soil (by lakes and rivers); who participate in activities such as forestry work, hunting, and camping in wooded areas; and individuals exposed to disturbed soil may be at higher risk for getting blastomycosis.
These infections are exceedingly rare. On average over the past five years, only 26 cases have been reported for the entire State of Michigan annually. However, the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan is a known risk area for blastomycosis infection.
Most people who breathe in blastomycosis spores will not get sick. Those who do get sick can develop symptoms such as cough (sometimes with blood), fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, muscle aches, and joint pain. Symptoms usually appear between 3 weeks to 3 months after exposure.
Blastomycosis can be treated with antifungal medications prescribed by a medical provider. Treatment is especially effective when administration begins as soon after symptoms as possible.
Because the fungus that causes blastomycosis occurs in the environment, it is not possible to completely avoid being exposed. People with weakened immune systems may want to consider avoiding activities that involve disrupting soil in areas where blastomycosis is found. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent blastomycosis.
The following tips may reduce a person’s risk of exposure:
· Wear personal protective equipment (facemasks or respirators, eye protection, and gloves) when engaging in higher risk activities
· Only move leaf litter when it is dry
· Avoid moving or digging soil on windy days
· Cover soil and yard materials
· Ensure water has adequate drainage and doesn’t pool near work areas
· Install walkways over wet areas to prevent walking through and disturbing muddy soil
Health officials from PHDM and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services along with Billerud Paper Mill occupational health staff are working together to investigate this cluster of illness. Because the blastomyces fungus is common in the environment in the UP, identifying a specific source or exposure can be difficult. Health officials are making every effort to identify any exposures common among the ill individuals. Information and guidance have also been distributed to local medical providers to assist in the recognition and appropriate diagnosis of blastomycosis.
