Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) Information and Personal Protective Equipment

Many contractors are aware of the fungal infection Histoplasmosis and the risk to workers. There are, however, other fungal agents that are less well known but just as dangerous.

One of these is Coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever. Cases of Valley fever are most common in the southwest region of the United States, including Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. Cases in other states have also been reported. The number of Valley fever cases has increased over recent decades reportedly due to natural disaster events including drought conditions, wildfires and massive flooding/mudslides. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cases increased 850% between 1998 and 2011.

In 2011, there were more than 20,000 cases diagnosed in California and Arizona. Between 2012 and 2016, there were more than 58,000 cases reported in the United States. Refer to our document on Valley Fever and Precautions for Outdoor Workers (PDF, 127.85 KB) for more information on risks and possible protection options to help protect outdoor workers from Valley fever.