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associated disease begins with one or more symptoms including fever, muscle ache, headache, and cough, and progresses rapidly to severe lung disease, often requiring intensive care treatment. To control potential contact with dust that may be carrying the rodent excreta, the field team shall conduct a visual survey of the area around each site to note whether rodents are thriving in the area. If it is determined that non-domesticated rodents may be living near the work area, or that the area is affected by wind blowing dust, dust suppression techniques and/or respiratory protection(dust mask or air purifying respirators with dust filters) will be required. The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta Georgia, has established a hotline for inquiries regarding the Hantavirus (800-532-9929). 4.3.4 Valley Fever Valley Fever(coccidioidomycosis) is prevalent in the San Joaquin and Central Valleys of California, and in the hot, desert regions of southern Arizona, southern Nevada, southern Utah, southern New Mexico, western Texas, and Mexico. V It is caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis, which grows in soils in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. These fungal spores become W airborne when the soil is disturbed by winds, construction, farming, and other activities. In susceptible people and animals, infection occurs when a spore is inhaled. Within the lung,the spore changes into a larger, multicellular structure called a spherule. The spherule grows and bursts, releasing endospores that develop into spherules. Valley Fever symptoms generally occur within three weeks of exposure. Valley Fever is not a "contagious" disease, meaning it is not passed from person to person. Second infections are rare. In California, the risk of infection is highest from June through November. V Most cases of Valley Fever are very mild. It is thought that over 60% of infected people have either no symptoms or experience flu-like symptoms and never seek medical attention. Of those patients seeking medical care,the most common symptoms are fatigue, cough, chest pain, fever, rash,headache and joint aches. Some people develop painful red bumps on their shins or elsewhere that gradually turn brown. These symptoms are not unique to Valley Fever and can be caused by other illnesses. Exposure to Valley Fever can be reduced by minimizing exposure to dust using dust suppression techniques and/or respiratory protection. =cDP-N:1ConmlrrngWamiSham"rojecosl J71778I07.aadoc -^7 A 1217100 4F I W