This month, the California Department of Public Health brought attention to a potentially serious health risk for California outdoor workers in the Central Valley. Valley Fever (or, coccidioidomycosis) can affect workers who dig in the soil. It is a fungal illness caused by inhaling spores found in soil in parts of the Southwestern U.S. Employers in these areas are encouraged to help prevent Valley fever by training employees, taking measures to control dust, and suspending outdoor work during heavy winds. For more information from the California Department of Public Health’s Occupational Health Branch, visit:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Coccidioidomycosis.aspx