A worker employed on a contractual basis at the Billerud Paper Mill in Escanaba, Michigan, has passed away due to an ongoing fungal outbreak, which is believed to have infected close to 100 employees with blastomycosis. Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties (PHDM) reported this development in a press release on April 14.
Brian Peterson, the Operations Vice President for the Escanaba mill at Billerud, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and said that the company is keeping the worker's family, friends, and coworkers in their thoughts.
The identity of the deceased worker has not been disclosed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that blastomycosis is an infection resulting from exposure to the Blastomyces fungus. The PHDM first received information about pneumonia infections among mill employees on February 28, and Billerud was informed about the infections by the PHDM on March 3.
According to the latest update from the PHDM, there are 21 confirmed cases and 76 probable cases among the mill's workforce. Out of the 97 cases, 12 people have been hospitalized.
In response to the outbreak, the mill suspended operations for up to three weeks to facilitate deep cleaning. Billerud's President and CEO, Christoph Michalski, emphasized the company's commitment to the health and safety of its employees and contractors.
To protect its employees, the mill is taking a number of precautions, such as providing N95 masks, hiring an industrial hygienist for guidance, inspecting ventilation systems, and replacing filters. The PHDM, CDC, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are among the local and national health agencies investigating the outbreak.
The Billerud Paper Mill, which has been in operation since 1911, has about 885 employees. The Sweden-based company produces paper for magazines, catalogs, books, and other items.
The Blastomyces fungus is predominantly found in the midwestern, south-central, and southeastern U.S., particularly in areas like the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, the Saint Lawrence River, and the Great Lakes. It primarily thrives in damp soil and decomposing wood and leaves.
Infection with blastomycosis occurs through inhalation of microscopic fungal spores, but the fungus is not transmitted between people or animals through the air. In rare cases, it can spread through needlestick injuries, bites, or sexual contact.
Though the fungus generally does not cause illness, some individuals may experience symptoms such as fever, cough, night sweats, chest pain, fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, or weight loss. People with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to the infection spreading to other parts of their body.
Early diagnosis is crucial for treating blastomycosis with antifungal medications, according to the CDC.
