Deadly Fungal Outbreak at Michigan Paper Mill Leaves Dozens Sickened.
One person has died and up to 97 suspected cases of blastomycosis have been reported in an industrial outbreak at the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The fungal infection is caused by breathing in fungal spores that grow in moist soil and decomposing matter. The outbreak is the first of its kind in the US, and the company has temporarily shut down the mill for cleaning. The local health department recommends wearing an N95 mask when working in or around moist or disturbed soil or in heavily wooded areas.