Valley Fever

Valley fever is shorthand for San Joaquin Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis. It is caused by several species of Coccidioides fungus. The fungus lives in soil in dry climates (such as California’s San Joaquin Valley), and it can become airborne with dust on dry, windy days or when people are disturbing soil, such as with construction projects, agricultural work, etc. People and animals breathe in the airborne spores, which enter the lungs and can establish an infection.

Agricultural workers are exposed to high levels of air pollution while working outside (e.g. environmental dust, transportation, and/or agricultural practices) and can be exposed to allergens when working in close proximity to animals, such as densely populated dairy or chicken farms.