Etymologia: Coccidioides

Nevertheless, reducing dust is a reasonable risk-reduction strategy for addressing occupational coccidioidomycosis. On the basis of our findings, we recommended that prison management weigh the advantages and disadvantages of various environmental mitigation efforts to reduce dust exposures. Our recommendations included providing employees with education and training about coccidioidomycosis symptoms and transmission, risk factors for disseminated disease, and ways to minimize exposures; closing the prison yards during dust storms; and using respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as part of a respiratory protection program for employees who must work outside during unusually dusty days or who may disturb soil. The recently available coccidioidal spherulin skin test may also be a potentially useful tool for identifying at-risk employees.