2021 Outbreak of Coccidioidomycosis Among Wildland Firefighters, California

In July 2021, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) notified the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of 7 wildland firefighters from two crews who had respiratory illness. Crew A (19 members) and crew B (21 members) had worked on wildfires in late June 2021 near the Tehachapi Mountains, a region with historically high coccidioidomycosis incidence. All three patients were treated with the antifungal fluconazole and recovered.

Overview

Outbreak began:July 2021
Affected country:US
States/territories:CA
Pathogen:Coccidioides
Vehicle(s):Soil
Location(s):Outdoor Trail
Molecular test results:3

Sources & documents

Report / reference links
Outbreak documents