College - Author 1
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Department - Author 1
Agricultural Education and Communication Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Agricultural Science
Date
5-2020
Primary Advisor
Megan Silcott, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Education and Communication Department
Abstract/Summary
In many areas of California, workers involved in construction and agriculture are susceptible to a soilborne fungus which can cause coccidioidomycosis, or valley fever. The disease, which can be contracted by breathing in dirt or dust on a site, is contagious and can sometimes lead to serious and/or fatal symptoms without proper treatment (CDPH, 2018).
Valley fever has been one of the most prevalent diseases in recent years for San Luis Obispo County (VF Brochure, 2018). To counter the increasing number of cases, San Luis Obispo County and the Public Health Department collaborated to inform as many people as possible about Valley Fever. This was done through the distribution of informational brochures specifically tailored to workers in agriculture.
Other counties in California are also at risk of valley fever but may not take the same precautions as San Luis Obispo County. This project goes beyond San Luis Obispo County’s work to examine whether or not other counties in California are taking the same preventative measures. The author chose to analyze different sources in order to see which counties in California show a prevalence of valley fever, and if those counties have informative resources about the dangers of the disease.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/agedsp/156
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