Agricultural work has previously been identified as an occupational risk factor for Valley fever, but little research has been conducted to identify specific high-risk tasks or crops.
Over the past decade, California has become more prone to weather extremes, including increased frequency and severity of heat waves, droughts, and wildfires.
How have these weather extremes affected the work, health, and safety of agricultural employers and farmworkers? How are they preparing for the future?
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.
People who work outdoors in California’s Central Valley, especially workers who dig or disturb soil, like agricultural workers, are at risk for Valley Fever.
