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Location:
Arizona -
Date:
06/09/2024 -
Incident Type:
Exposure -
Keywords:
Medical Emergency
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Description:
On 6/9/2024, a crewmember from an Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) was admitted to the hospital with suspected pneumonia. Eventually, the firefighter was diagnosed with the fungal infection known as Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis), and the firefighter underwent surgery to remove fluid in the chest (pleural effusion) on 6/9/24. The crewmember was likely exposed to the fungus (Coccidioides sp.) sometime between May 11 and May 15, 2024, when the IHC was assigned to the Toyo Fire (San Carlos BIA, AZ). One other firefighter assigned to the Toyo Fire has been diagnosed with Valley Fever (received medication and but not hospitalized). A third firefighter assigned to the Toyo Fire is suspected of Valley Fever (also not hospitalized), but conclusive tests are still pending as of 6/17/24.
Click here to learn more about Valley Fever.
[This data was provided by the USFS Weekly Summary Report.]
Medical Emergency
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