First Nation expands search for source of deadly outbreak

A First Nation in northern Ontario has expanded its search for the source of a lung infection that has killed two people and sickened at least 12 others, the First Nation’s chief said Wednesday.

Constance Lake First Nation, a community of over 900 residents, declared a state of emergency on Nov. 22 after probable cases of blastomycosis and three deaths came to light.

Blastomycosis is typically caused by a fungus that grows in moist soil, leaves and rotting wood. It is spread when a person breathes in small particles of the fungus into their lungs, but does not spread from person to person or animals to people.

Constance Lake First Nation Chief Ramona Sutherland said 29 samples have been taken from various locations in the community so far, but they have all come back as negative for blastomycosis.

Sutherland said the “whole reserve” is now being searched for the source of the lung infection.

Indigenous Services Canada said the negative environmental results are “not abnormal due to the difficulty in isolating blastomyces spores from environmental samples,” adding that additional test results are “forthcoming.”

The federal department noted the cases of blastomycosis in Constance Lake First Nation “have not been linked to residential homes” and that it has consulted a blastomycosis specialist to “review the current approach.”

As of Wednesday, Sutherland said there are 12 people who are confirmed to have the lung infection and nine people in hospital with probable cases.

Another 119 people are under investigation for the infection, which Sutherland clarified means that they went to the hospital with symptoms of blastomycosis, such as a cough, fever, chills, fatigue and/ or difficulty breathing.

Sutherland said autopsies were done on two people who recently died in the community and “both confirmed blastomycosis.”

She encouraged community members to get checked out if they are experiencing any symptoms and said those with cases under investigation should get checked out every two days until they’re cleared of symptoms.

Sutherland said investigators believe the fungus suspected of causing the infection in Constance Lake First Nation is currently dormant due to snowy conditions.

As of Wednesday there were 12 people who were confirmed to have the lung infection and nine people in hospital with probable cases