Preventing Work-Related Valley Fever

Valley fever, also called Coccidioidomycosis or "cocci", is an illness caused by a fungus found in the soil in many parts of California, especially the Central Valley and Central Coast. For some, it can be serious and even fatal. People who inhale fungal spores released when the soil is disturbed, may get Valley fever. 

Construction workers and others who work outdoor are at risk for Valley fever, especially if they dig or disturb soil, operate heavy machinery, or work under windy conditions.

A new California law, AB 203 of 2019, requires construction employers who work in counties with high rates of Valley fever to train their employees on minimizing the risk of Valley fever by May 1, 2020 and then annually .

The Occupational Health Branch (OHB) has investigated Valley fever outbreaks in worker groups and has developed recomendations for preventing work-related Valley fever. 

Webinars and trainings

• VALLEY FEVER: Tailgate Training Guide for California Construction Workers (PDF) | Spanish – short, interactive training guide that covers AB 203 required worker training elements, March 2020

• Preventing Valley Fever in Outdoor Workers – 1-hour webinar for employers and planners of outdoor projects and supervisors of workers who perform digging or other dust disturbing activities in areas where Valley fever is common. Explains employer requirements to train workers under AB 203, February 2020 
  View webinar  |  Download video (MP4, 225 MB)  |  Presentation slides (PDF)  |  Request PowerPoint presentation (email)

• Preventing Valley Fever in Construction Workers - 1-hour webinar for construction employers and health and safety professionals, 2018. Note: This presentation does NOT cover 2020 worker training requirements. 
  Presentation slides (PDF)   |    Recorded webinar presentation (password required: VFeverAug21)

OHB resources

• Outdoor Workers and Valley Fever (PDF) | Large poster (PDF) |  Order printed posters – bilingual English/Spanish poster, 2016
• Preventing Work-Related Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) (PDF) – fact sheet, 2013
• Report Valley Fever Symptoms (PDF) – poster, 2013
• Valley Fever Is a Work-Related Illness - newsletter, 2019
• Coccidioidomycosis: Occupational Health Issues – free online continuing medical education (CME) course, January 2017
• Preventing Work-Related Valley Fever in Wildland Firefighters (PDF) – tailgate training, 2013​​

OHB investigations

• Occupational Coccidioidomycosis Surveillance and Recent Outbreaks in California – journal article, 2019
• Coccidioidomycosis Outbreak Among Workers Constructing a Solar Power Farm — Monterey County, California, 2016–2017 – MMWR report, 2018
  
• Dust Exposure and Coccidioidomycosis Prevention Among Solar Power Farm Construction Workers in California – journal article abstract, 2017
• Coccidioidomycosis Among Workers Constructing Solar Power Farms – journal article abstract, 2015
• Coccidioidomycosis Among Cast and Crew Members at an Outdoor Television Filming Event  – MMWR report, 2014
• Occupational Coccidioidomycosis in California – journal article abstract, 2012
• Outbreak of Coccidioidomycosis in Construction Workers – journal article abstract, 2009

Additional information

• Coccidioidomycosis, Valley Fever  – CDPH web page with multilingual fact sheets and California data
• Coccidioidomycosis, Valley Fever – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web page
• Coccidioidomycosis Outbreaks, United States and Worldwide, 1940-2015 - journal article, 2018
• Notes from the Field: Increase in Coccidioidomycosis — California, 2016 - MMWR report, 2017​​