The Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties (PHDM) is actively investigating an outbreak of blastomycosis that has been linked to the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill. To date, there have been 14 confirmed cases of blastomycosis, a fungal infection, identified.
A confirmed case is defined as a person exhibiting symptoms of blastomycosis and where the fungus has been either grown in culture or seen by microscope in a specimen. In addition, 39 people have been classified as probable cases, meaning they have symptoms of blastomycosis and have tested positive for an antigen or antibody.
In response to this outbreak, Billerud has requested that the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), an OSHA research agency, conduct a health hazard evaluation focused on studying the health and safety of Escanaba mill employees. A team of experts from NIOSH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and PHDM will visit the mill to tour the site and meet with members of management, the mill’s occupational health and safety team, and union representatives.
After the onsite visit, the NIOSH team will continue to analyze data and review case investigation information collected by PHDM. The evaluation is expected to continue until all necessary information has been thoroughly reviewed.
“PHDM continues to interview cases identified by the healthcare providers. This information is being shared with MDHHS and NIOSH to aid in their health hazard evaluation,” PHDM Health Officer Michael Snyder said.
Blastomycosis is a disease caused by a fungus that typically grows in moist soil, wood, and decaying matter such as leaves. The infection spreads when people inhale fungal spores from the air, and it does not transmit between animals and humans or from person to person.
Symptoms of blastomycosis can include coughing (sometimes with blood), fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, muscle aches, and joint pain. If you experience these symptoms, it is important to contact your healthcare provider and discuss whether testing for blastomycosis is necessary.
At present, there is no vaccine available to prevent the illness, but antifungal medications prescribed by a medical professional can be effective in treating blastomycosis. Starting treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis by a healthcare provider is crucial for the best possible outcome.
Billerud’s Escanaba leadership has also responded to the outbreak and containment efforts.
“The health and safety of our Escanaba employees remains our first priority,” Billerud Escanaba Mill Operations Vice President Brian Peterson said. “Though no causal link to our mill has been confirmed, we continue to take this matter very seriously. The addition of an independent review by NIOSH will deepen the investigation. We continue to work with OSHA, PHDM, and an industrial hygienist to determine common areas where affected employees have been. Across the facility, ventilation systems have been inspected, filters have been changed, and common areas have been deep cleaned.”
