TIL of “Chicago disease” #blastomycosis a fungal infection people and pets inhale from dirt, dead leaves or decaying wood. Of course I read this after digging in my garden moving around old cedar mulch. Lol

Looks like #respirators for gardening are a good idea for me, for pollen and #fungus.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis - Wikipedia

Servicio de noticias en salud Al Día – Una infección fúngica poco común pero mortal está surgiendo en más estados

#Blastomycosis is spreading from South and Midwest. 
It’s rare, and can cause respiratory symptoms, fever and body aches in about half of the people who are infected from inhaling the Blastomyces spores. Most cases are mild, but if left untreated, blastomycosis can cause serious illness or death.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/rare-fungal-infection-popping-unexpected-part-us-rcna135323

A rare fungal infection is popping in an unexpected part of the U.S. 

Blastomycosis, a fungal infection that usually occurs in the upper Midwest and Southeast, is being detected in Vermont at higher rates than expected, a new study finds.

NBC News

A rare and deadly fungal infection has been detected in Michigan, affecting at least 10 people and killing two. The blastomycosis infection is caused by a fungus that lives in moist soil and wood. It can cause symptoms such as coughing, fever, muscle aches, and skin lesions. The infection is treatable with antifungal drugs, but it can be fatal if left untreated.

#FungalInfection #Michigan #Blastomycosis

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/01/health/michigan-fungal-infection/

An Escanaba, Michigan paper mill shuts down temporarily after an outbreak of #blastomycosis One person is dead and 90+ are confirmed or suspected to have the disease, which originates in moist soil and rotting wood and leaves.

This Freep story is pretty thorough.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/04/14/escanaba-paper-mill-closed-fungal-infection-outbreak/70114906007/

The mill is owned by #Billerud (a Swedish company) and recently received up to $200 million in state funding to modernize their product mix.

https://www.paper-world.com/en/newsdetail/billerud-michigan-governor-signs-legislation

#yooper

Escanaba paper mill temporarily closes amid fungal infection outbreak, investigation

Billerud is the Upper Peninsula's largest employer, and just won approval of a $200 million state incentive to modernize the paper mill.

Detroit Free Press
'Exceedingly rare' fungal infection sickens dozens at Michigan paper mill
Health officials have reported 19 confirmed cases and 74 probable cases of blastomycosis linked to a paper mill.
https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/exceedingly-rare-fungal-infection-sickens-dozens-at-michigan-paper-mill #Fungus #amongus #blastomycosis
'Exceedingly rare' fungal infection sickens dozens at Michigan paper mill

Health officials have reported 19 confirmed cases and 74 probable cases of blastomycosis linked to a paper mill.

Live Science
Out today: our series of #blastomycosis infections in New England. This water-loving fungus is typically acquired from exposure to decaying vegetation along lakes and riverbanks. Anecdotally, cases may be increasing in Vermont, Maine, and upstate New York, perhaps due to extreme precipitation events and flooding in the setting of #ClimateChange https://academic.oup.com/ofid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ofid/ofad029/6993860