A contract employee at a Michigan paper mill has died from a blastomycosis infection. The ability has been shut down for deep cleansing.
Public health officials announced Friday that a Billerud Paper Mill employee, whose name was not disclosed, died consequently of a blastomycosis infection. The time of death was also not disclosed within the press release from Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties (PHDM).
“Everyone at Billerud is deeply saddened by this news. Anyone who works at our facility is a component of our team, and we’re keeping this individual, their family, coworkers and friends in our thoughts and shut to our hearts,” the Escanaba mill’s operations vice chairman Brian Peterson said within the press release.
Blastomycosis is an infection brought on by the Blastomyces fungus, which lives in moist soil and decomposing matter reminiscent of leaves and wood. People can get infected after respiration in fungal spores. Although most don’t get sick, others develop symptoms like fever and cough. The infection may also turn into serious when left untreated, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Billerud first heard of a possible outbreak from the PHDM in early March. By April 14, the mill reported a minimum of 21 confirmed cases and 76 probable cases. Not less than 12 employees have been hospitalized.
In response to the outbreak, Billerud, which employs greater than 800 people, has decided to shut down its manufacturing facility for up to 3 weeks for “deep cleansing.”
Billerud North America President Kevin Kuznicki said the operation would come with vent inspections, filter replacements and raw materials testing, as per ClickOnDetroit.
“Our top priority now and at all times is protecting the health and safety of our employees and contractors who work at our Escanaba Mill,” Billerud CEO Christoph Michalski added in an organization statement obtained by Fox News.
No other industrial outbreak of the fungus has been reported in other parts of the U.S.
Headquartered in Sweden, Billerud is understood for producing paper for magazines, catalogs, books and other products since 1911.
Dog owners within the Chicago area must be aware that a variety of dogs this 12 months have died from fungal infections after inhaling toxins while nosing around in wooded areas.
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