Valley Fever Fungus in the Fields

Back in the 1950s, Terry Noland released the song “There Was a Fungus Among Us.” (You have to pronounce the “g” in “among” to get the true effect of this title). But, in many parts of California, it would be more accurate to say, “There IS a fungus among us.” It’s a fungus that’s making people sick, and forcing them to miss work.

The name of the fungus is coccidioides immitis. This fungus causes Valley Fever, a serious and potentially fatal respiratory disease that’s on the rise in our state. Those living and working in the Central Valley and Southern regions are most affected.

Coccidioides immitis lives in the top two-to-12 inches of soil. People breathe it in when soil is disturbed and releases into the air. This means farmers, construction workers, and others who dig up dirt for a living are among those most at risk of getting Valley Fever at work.

Despite how serious and widespread Valley Fever is, very few employers cover it in their Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).

What is Valley Fever?

Valley Fever is a respiratory infection with an incubation period of one-to-four weeks
It is caused by soil-borne coccidioides immitis fungus
Exposure occurs when people breathe in fungal spores released into the air when soil is disturbed
Symptoms range from none at all to those mimicking the flu or other common illnesses
More than 1,000 Californians are hospitalized from Valley Fever each year
Eight percent of Californians hospitalized with Valley Fever die from it
Centers for Disease Control states that 75 percent of those contracting Valley Fever in the U.S. miss school or work
Disseminated Valley Fever is a rare form of the infection that spreads from lungs to other parts of the body
- Sometimes diagnosed years after exposure
- Can devastate the body and is potentially fatal

What to include in my IIPP?

Valley Fever is a tricky disease. Symptoms can mimic the flu and other common illnesses. As a result, Valley Fever is not always diagnosed right away.

To protect your employees, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has several recommendations on what to include in your IIPP, including:

Information about Valley Fever endemic areas.
How workers are exposed to the fungus.
Control measures to help reduce exposures such as wetting the soil before digging.
What types of respirators to use and when.
When to report symptoms.

No vaccine exists to prevent Valley Fever. Fortunately, we have some steps we can take to minimize exposures, reduce illness, and keep people working.

Yes, there is a fungus among us, but it doesn’t have to hurt us.

Valley Fever Fungus in the Fields

Additional Resources

What is Valley Fever?

What to include in my IIPP?

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