The investigation of a coroner was announced on Friday in five deaths during a Blastomycosis outbreak In Constance Lake First Nation, just west of Hearst in the northeast of Ontario.
The deaths occurred between November 19, 2021 and January 23, 2022. Constance Lake First Nation was in an emergency state for more than a year after people began to get sick with blastomycosis, a fungal infection that affects the lungs. Dozens of people were also treated.
The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of:
- Luke Moore, 43.
- Lorraine Shaganash, 47.
- Lizzie Sutherland, 56.
- Mark Ferris, 67.
- Douglas Taylor, 60.
According to Ontario’s public health, explosomycosis is caused by a fungus known as Blastomyces dermatitidiswhich commonly grows on humid soil and in decomposition of wood and leaves.
“If this environment is disturbed (for example, through activities such as camping, cavar/gardening, land/mountain cycling), small fungal spores can be released in the air that can lead to an infection if they are inhaled,” says its website.
Dr. Harry Voogjarv, Forensic Regional Supervisor based in Sudbury, announced the investigation. A date for the procedure has not yet been published.
The jury of five people from an investigation has the task of identifying who died, when and where they died, their medical cause of death, and why they died, classified as natural causes, accidents, homicide, suicide or indeterminate.
Juries cannot assign guilt or make any legal judgment, but they can make recommendations aimed at preventing future and similar deaths.
Public Health Ontario reported 126 cases of Blastomycosis throughout the province in 2023, which resulted in 11 deaths. There were also 13 deaths in 2021 and four in 2022.
