Coccidioidomycosis Among Solar Farm Construction Workers – Kern County, California, 2024
- Presentation Day/Time: Wednesday, April 22, 3:00 PM
- Presenter: Naomi Lopez Caraballo, PhD, California Department of Public Health Environmental Occupational Health
The Issue
- In December of 2024, the California Department of Public Health was notified of three cases of coccidioidomycosis among construction workers at a solar farm in Kern County. Coccidioidomycosis is caused by inhaling Coccidioides fungal spores and can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, or death. Dirt-disturbing activities (e.g., construction) can release spores, and California law requires worker training on prevention methods.
What We Did
- We investigated, characterized the outbreak, and identified risk reduction opportunities.
What We Found
- We identified seven confirmed cases of coccidioidomycosis that occurred during September–December 2024; four required hospitalization and one was fatal. An anonymous, symptom-focused questionnaire sent to 460 employees identified eight additional probable cases among the 49 employees who completed the survey. A site visit revealed insufficient training and inadequate respirator use.
What This Means
- Construction workers in high-incidence regions have increased risk for severe coccidioidomycosis. Worksite adherence to safety measures can be limited, despite requirements.
