Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

VALLEY FEVERVALLEY FEVER in San Luis Obispo County in San Luis Obispo County

California Valley Solar Ranch Project 2011

Slide 2Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Safety is Our ValueSafety is Our Value

“We measure safety performance by the number

of incidents. But let’s be clear…

it’s really not about incident rates…it’s about people.

People who have faces, names, families, hopes, and dreams.”

-Riley BechtelAugust 15, 2001

Slide 3Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Valley FeverValley Fever Learning Outline Learning Outline

Valley Fever defined Where Coccidioides fungus is

found Who gets Valley Fever Signs and symptoms of Valley

Fever Disseminated Valley Fever How Valley Fever is diagnosed How Valley Fever is treated How to protect yourself What to do if you think you have

been exposed

Slide 4Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

What is What is Valley FeverValley Fever??

Disease caused by a fungus (Coccidioides or “cocci”)

Infection may occur when spores are inhaled

Fungus can infect the lungs and other parts of the body

Acute respiratory infection may occur 7 to 21 days after exposure and typically resolves rapidly

Small chance infection may alternatively result in a chronic pulmonary condition or spread to other parts of the body

Slide 5Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Where the cocci fungus livesWhere the cocci fungus lives

Cocci lives in soil in the southwestern U.S., regions of Mexico, Central and South America

– Cocci lives in the soils of San Luis Obispo County

Cocci grows in soil to depth of inches to a few feet (needs oxygen)

Cocci fungal spores enter air when soil is disturbed by winds, construction, farming, other activities

SLO County

Slide 6Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Who gets Who gets Valley FeverValley Fever

ANYONE who visits or lives in areas where Valley Fever occurs can contract Valley Fever

People most likely to be exposed are those in dusty occupations, such as earth movers, farmers, archeologists

People who drive dirt bikes or ATVs may also be at increased risk

Domestic and wild animals are also susceptible to infection

Slide 7Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Signs and symptoms of Signs and symptoms of Valley FeverValley Fever

Over 60% of infected people either have no symptoms or experience flu-like symptoms

Symptoms usually disappear within a month, however some people may feel fatigue for six months

Slide 8Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Signs and symptoms of Signs and symptoms of Valley FeverValley Fever (continued)

Between 30-40% do get sick—usually one to three weeks after fungal spores invade the body. Most common symptoms: – Fatigue

– Night sweats

– Cough

– Fever

– Joint/muscle aches

– Headache

– Skin rash

– Weight loss

Slide 9Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Disseminated Disseminated Valley FeverValley Fever

1 to 5% develop disseminated disease, which means the fungal infection spreads to other parts of the body

Disseminated Disseminated symptoms can include:symptoms can include:– very high fever

– extreme fatigue

– nodules or ulcers on the skin

– painful lesions on the skull, spine, or other bones

– painful, swollen joints

– headaches and or back pain from infection of the brain or spinal cord

Slide 10Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Groups at Higher Risk Groups at Higher Risk for for Disseminated Valley FeverDisseminated Valley Fever

Disseminated form occurs more often in persons with immune system deficiencies, such as those – infected with HIV/AIDS

– women who are pregnant

– persons on chronic corticosteroid therapy

– persons on chemotherapy

– dark-skinned patients – those of Hispanic, African American, Native American, and Filipino descent

Slide 11Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

How How Valley FeverValley Fever is diagnosed is diagnosed

A doctor can order a test of blood or sputum for Valley Fever

Blood testing for the cocci antibody and sputum testing for presence of cocci organisms are considered reliable only after three weeks or more from the onset of symptoms

Chest x-rays may show lung abnormalities associated with cocci

Slide 12Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

How How Valley FeverValley Fever is treated is treated

• Most patients with Valley Fever recover with no treatment, and will have life-long immunity

• For persistent symptoms, an antifungal drug is often prescribed

• In severe cases, years of anti-fungal treatment may be required, and surgery may be necessary to remove damaged tissue

• Valley Fever is not spread from person to person, and you cannot catch it from animals

Slide 13Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Fugitive Dust Reduction MeasuresFugitive Dust Reduction Measures

Water trucks will spray for dust suppression as needed

Vehicle speed for all construction vehicles shall not exceed 15 mph on any unpaved surface

Equipment, vehicles and other items will be thoroughly cleaned to remove soil particles before they are moved offsite

Wherever possible, grading and trenching work will be phased so that earth-moving equipment is working well ahead or down-wind of workers on the ground

Slide 14Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Separation from Fugitive DustSeparation from Fugitive Dust

Half-faced respirators equipped with N-100 or P-100 filters will be worn by those digging, grading, trenching, or other work involving soil disturbance

HEPA-filtered, air-conditioned, enclosed cabs are provided for water trucks, and grading and other earth-moving equipment

Workers are provided separate, clean eating and smoking areas with hand-washing facilities

This training is provided to inform you of the presence of Valley Fever in San Luis Obispo County, and to help you recognize the symptoms of Valley Fever

Slide 15Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

How to Protect YourselfHow to Protect Yourself

Wear provided PPE as required

Ensure proper fit if you are required to wear a respirator

Wash your hands before you eat or smoke to prevent ingestion of fungal spores

Use caution when conducting activities with dust and airborne dirt

If you have a condition that weakens your immune system, consider avoiding high-risk activities associated with disturbing dirt, especially on windy days

There is no vaccine at this time, although research is being conducted

Slide 16Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

What to do if you think you have What to do if you think you have been exposedbeen exposed

Report flu-like symptoms to the CVSR Project Nurse

If your symptoms do not improve over several weeks, the Nurse will arrange for you to see a health care provider for evaluation and testing for Valley Fever

Be sure to inform your health care provider that you may have been exposed to Valley Fever

Slide 17Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Valley FeverValley Fever Summary Summary

http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/Biology/rcotter/BIO%20205/LessonBuilders/Chapter%205%20LB/valleyfever.jpghttp://www.pc.maricopa.edu/Biology/rcotter/BIO%20205/LessonBuilders/Chapter%205%20LB/valleyfever.jpg

Slide 18Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

We value yourWe value your Safety Safety and and HealthHealth

Questions?Questions?Speak with your

Project Nurse in First Aid or by calling xxx.xxx.xxxx

Or, talk with your Safety Professional

Slide 19Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)

Learn More about Learn More about Valley FeverValley Fever

San Luis Obispo County Health Agency2191 Johnson AvenueSan Luis Obispo, CA 93401805.781.5500 http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/health/publichealth/commdisease/Cocci_in_SLO_County.htm

Valley Fever Center of ExcellenceTucson, Arizona 85724520.626.6517http://www.vfce.arizona.edu/

American Lung Associationhttp://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/coccidiodomycosis/

California Department of Public Healthhttp://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/Pages/Coccidioidomycosis.aspx

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/coccidioidomycosis/

National Institutes of Health (NIH)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002299/