Dorothy Maffei MPH Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists CSTE Fellow Environmental Health Investigations amp Occupational Health Branch California Department of Public Health CDPH ID: 1044088
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1. Coccidioidomycosis Cluster Among Wildland Firefighters, California 2021 Dorothy Maffei, MPHCouncil of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) FellowEnvironmental Health Investigations & Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health (CDPH)WestON Quick Takes SessionSeptember 16, 2022
2. Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever)Caused by inhalation of spores from soil or airborne dustIncubation period of 1-3 weeks40% develop symptoms (such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing, severe pneumonia, and rarely disseminated disease)Occupational illness
3. Goals of investigationConfirm casesBetter understand coccidioidomycosis risk among wildland firefighters
4. Goals of investigationConfirm casesBetter understand coccidioidomycosis risk among wildland firefighters
5. MethodsReview of medical recordsStandardized phone interview
6. MethodsReview of medical recordsStandardized phone interview
7. MethodsReview of medical recordsStandardized phone interview
8. ResultsCrew A (19 members) and Crew B (21 members) had both recently worked on wildfires in late June 2021 in Kern County3 firefighters tested positive for cocci resulting in an attack rate of 14.3% (3/21)All were hospitalizedCases were diagnosed within 12 days of illness onset compared to a median of 55 days
9. ResultsCrew A (19 members) and Crew B (21 members) had both recently worked on wildfires in late June 2021 in Kern County3 firefighters tested positive for cocci resulting in an attack rate of 14.3% (3/21)All were hospitalizedCases were diagnosed within 12 days of illness onset compared to a median of 55 days
10. ResultsCrew A (19 members) and Crew B (21 members) had both recently worked on wildfires in late June 2021 in Kern County3 firefighters tested positive for cocci resulting in an attack rate of 14.3% (3/21)All were hospitalizedCases were diagnosed within 12 days of illness onset compared to a median of 55 days
11. ResultsCrew A (19 members) and Crew B (21 members) had both recently worked on wildfires in late June 2021 in Kern County3 firefighters tested positive for cocci resulting in an attack rate of 14.3% (3/21)All were hospitalizedCases were diagnosed within 12 days of illness onset compared to a median of 55 days
12. ResultsExposure likely occurred while working in late June in the Kern CountyAll interviewed patients reported heavy dust exposure2/3 patients reported hearing about Valley fever before being tested for itNone reported wearing respiratory protection
13. ResultsExposure likely occurred while working in late June in the Kern CountyAll interviewed patients reported heavy dust exposure2/3 patients reported hearing about Valley fever before being tested for itNone reported wearing respiratory protection
14. ResultsExposure likely occurred while working in late June in the Kern CountyAll interviewed patients reported heavy dust exposure2/3 patients reported hearing about Valley fever before being tested for itNone reported wearing respiratory protection
15. RecommendationsExplore use of respiratory protective equipment when feasibleEarly recognitionFollow up testingTraining/Safety Briefings on coccidioidomycosis
16. RecommendationsExplore use of respiratory protective equipmentEarly recognitionFollow up testingTraining/Safety Briefings on coccidioidomycosis
17. RecommendationsExplore use of respiratory protective equipmentEarly recognitionFollow up testingTraining/Safety Briefings on coccidioidomycosis
18. RecommendationsExplore use of respiratory protective equipment when feasibleEarly recognitionFollow up testingTraining/Safety Briefings on coccidioidomycosis
19. RecommendationsExplore use of respiratory protective equipment when feasibleEarly recognitionFollow up testingTraining/Safety Briefings on coccidioidomycosis
20. RecommendationsExplore use of respiratory protective equipment when feasibleEarly recognitionFollow up testingTraining/Safety Briefings on coccidioidomycosis