Epidemiology of Coccidioidomycosis Outbreaks Reported Worldwide, 1940–2015

Article

Freedman, et al. (2018) reviewed documented coccidioidomycosis outbreaks from the period 1945–2015 to identify common features and prevention opportunities.

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, is a disease caused by the fungus Coccidioides. The disease is endemic to the western United States, northern Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. Infection occurs primarily by inhalation of spores, which are known to persist in soil, and nearly 40 percent of infected people become ill, typically within one to three weeks of exposure and often with a flu-like syndrome characterized by cough, shortness of breath, fever, and fatigue. Each year in the United States, about 10,000 coccidioidomycosis cases are reported. However, the disease is widely underdiagnosed, and those cases probably represent a small fraction of the actual number.

Because much remains unknown about its epidemiology and because coccidioidomycosis outbreaks have not been systematically studied, Freedman, et al. (2018) reviewed documented coccidioidomycosis outbreaks from the period 1945–2015 to identify common features and prevention opportunities. They found that most outbreaks (85 percent) were associated with environmental exposures; the two largest outbreaks resulted from an earthquake and a large dust storm. More than one third of outbreaks occurred in areas where coccidioidomycosis was not previously known to be endemic, and more than half involved occupational exposures. Because coccidioidomycosis outbreaks can be difficult to detect and challenging to prevent, the authors of this study argue that increased awareness of coccidioidomycosis among public health professionals, healthcare providers, and the public is needed.

Reference: Freedman M, et al. Epidemiology of Coccidioidomycosis Outbreaks Reported Worldwide, 1940–2015. Emerging Infectious Diseases. Vol. 24, No. 3. 2018.

Source: CDC

Recent Videos
Pathogen Playbook Presenter: Sharon Ward-Fore, BS, MS, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC
Mark Wiencek, PhD
Rebecca Crapanzano-Sigafoos, DrPH, CIC, AL-CIP, FAPIC
The CDC’s updated hospital respiratory reporting requirement has added new layers of responsibility for infection preventionists. Karen Jones, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, clinical program manager at Wolters Kluwer, breaks down what it means and how IPs can adapt.
Studying for the CIC using a digital tablet and computer (Adobe Stock 335828989 by NIKCOA)
Infection Control Today's Conversations with the HSPA President, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST
Infection Control Today's Conversations with the HSPA President, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST
Cheron Rojo, BS, FCS, CHL,  CER, CFER, CRCST
Matthias Tschoerner, Dr Sc
Standardizing Cleaning and Disinfection
Related Content