Largest Recorded Blastomycosis Outbreak in the U.S. Occurred in Michigan

In all, 131 pulmonary cases were associated with exposure to Blastomyces at a paper mill.

The fungal disease blastomycosis is endemic to the upper midwestern and southeastern U.S. and is usually sporadic. In early 2023, seven cases of pulmonary blastomycosis were identified among employees at a paper mill in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, prompting an epidemiologic investigation by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC.

A total of 131 cases of blastomycosis were identified, all of whom either worked at or had visited the paper mill. The most common symptoms were cough, fatigue, dyspnea, myalgia, night sweats, and chest pain. Blastomyces urinary antigen was positive in 97% of tested patients. No uptick in case number was noted elsewhere in the county, nor was there an increase in veterinary cases (although …

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Largest Recorded Blastomycosis Outbreak in the U.S. Occurred in Michigan

Topics

Reviewing Author