2023-05-03 11:59:02
A rare fungal pathogen is spreading in Michigan. Hundreds of people have already contracted the infectious disease. One person died as a result. The authorities are still concerned with how the fungus was able to spread.
An outbreak of blastomycosis occurred in Michigan. Bild: Adobe Stock/ Dr_Microbe
The potentially deadly yeast Blastomyces dermatitidis recently spread in the US state of Michigan. 109 people became infected, 13 were hospitalized and one person died of blastomycosis, authorities said. Nothing is currently known about the condition of the hospitalized patients.
One dead, hundreds infected: Michigan blastomycosis outbreak
The yeast is thought to have spread to a paper mill in Escanaba, Upper Peninsula. The infected are said to be all employees and visitors, reports the “Daily Mail“. The first cases became known in February 2023. According to its own statements, the factory, which belongs to the Swedish company Billerud, was only made aware of the blastomycosis in the factory in March after the first workers tested positive for the disease. The paper mill reported until cases as of April 28. However, the number of reported patients could still increase because the symptoms only appear after weeks. Local health officer Michael Snyder explained that the authorities continue to report “fewer new cases” each week. “Many of these cases have shown signs and symptoms since March,” he said in a statement. The factory was temporarily closed.
Fungal infection on the rise: does the pathogen come from a paper mill?
The workers with a severe infection are “not able to breathe,” said Jamie Dier, the union’s vice president. They coughed up “blood or phlegm.” Their lungs fill with nodules [des Pilzes]”He said. “It’s like a fungal mass on her lungs that prevents her from breathing,” he continued. He himself contracted Blastomyces dermatitidis. He suffered from the infectious disease for six weeks. He has now recovered.
However, it is currently unclear where the fungal spores come from. Blastomyces dermatitidis occurs increasingly in North America. The pathogen grows in regions with soils that are moist and contain decayed and acidic organic matter. The pathogen is also more prevalent near river banks, such as in the Ohio-Mississippi river valleys, in New York State, in the northern part of the Midwest or in southern Canada, the portal writes “MSD Manuals“. The mold could have spread through the wood in this case. The ventilation systems are currently being cleaned.
Also read: First person infected in India! Tree-killer fungus shakes doctors
These symptoms indicated blastomycosis
The yeast spores can spread once in the lungs. The disease can make itself felt immediately or spread unnoticed. Infection is manifested by fever, dry, hacking cough, shortness of breath, sweating, and chills. As the disease progresses, pleural effusion is possible and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can develop. Other organs and parts of the body such as the skin, kidneys, genitals, central nervous system, vertebrae, bone marrow or lymph nodes can also be affected. Lesions or even ulcers form. What is special about the disease, however, is that the pathogen cannot be transmitted to another person.
Authorities are calling the blastomycosis outbreak the largest in US history. Authorities estimate about 60 deaths and 6,700 cases annually. Nevertheless, the disease occurs in only about one to two people per 100,000 people nationwide each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the mortality rate is about one in 100 patients.
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