Just One Breath

Paso Robles Winemaker Battles Valley Fever

Rebecca Plevin — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:55:03 +0000

The quest for the perfect pinot noir lured Todd and Tammy Schaefer from Malibu to Paso Robles in 2001. But a different fate awaited them and their business, called Pacific Coast Vineyards.

“My wife and I had just come up here, to set up shop and continue our practice of winemaking, and, ‘Welcome to Paso Robles, here’s valley fever,’” Todd recounts.

In October of 2003, Todd was running a bulldozer through a vineyard, and kicking up lots of dust. They had no idea that dust would make him ill.

Cases Of Mysterious Valley Fever Rise In American Southwest

Rebecca Plevin — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:32:32 +0000

When she was just 6, Emily Gorospe became very tired and sick. The spunky girl, now 8, developed a fever that wouldn't go away, and red blotches appeared across her body.

"She's got so much energy usually," says Emily's mother, Valerie Gorospe. "Just walking from one part of the house ... she was drained." The little girl was also very pale. "She just didn't look like herself," Valerie recalls.

Emily, who lives in Delano, in California's Central Valley, was eventually diagnosed with valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis.

State Raises Questions About Moving Inmates At Risk of Valley Fever

Rebecca Plevin — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:39:30 +0000

In a motion filed in U.S. District Court yesterday, the state Attorney General raised questions about the federal order to exclude inmates especially vulnerable to valley fever from two Central Valley prisons.

Prison Health Advocates Call For More Steps to Stop Valley Fever Outbreak

Rebecca Plevin — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:44:04 +0000

On Monday afternoon, the federal receiver in charge of health care in California’s prisons ordered the state prison to remove inmates from two Central Valley prisons who are especially at risk of contracting valley fever. A day later, the state and experts are digesting that directive. Valley Public Radio's Rebecca Plevin reports, as part of the Reporting on Health Collaborative’s investigation into the disease.

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Inmates At Risk of Valley Fever To Be Moved From Two Valley Prisons

Joe Moore — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:59:22 +0000

The federal receiver in charge of health care in California’s prisons is ordering the state to remove inmates from two Central Valley prisons who are especially at risk of contracting the fungal disease known as valley fever. The move affects about 40 percent of the inmate population at Avenal and Pleasant Valley State Prisons.

Those affected include African Americans, Filipinos, inmates who are HIV positive, have compromised immune systems, or are pregnant or elderly.

CDC To Hold Valley Fever Symposium in Bakersfield, McCarthy Says

Rebecca Plevin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:30:22 +0000

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will visit the San Joaquin Valley later this year to train public health professionals and the public in recognizing and defending against valley fever, Congressman Kevin McCarthy said Monday after an in-depth meeting with the agency and its director.

CDC Study: Valley Fever Cases Increasing Dramatically

Rebecca Plevin — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:48:15 +0000

Cases of valley fever are climbing at stunning rates nationwide, and especially in California and Arizona, according to a new study released today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The agency launched its analysis following the publication of the Reporting on Health Collaborative’s ‘Just One Breath’ series on valley fever. Valley Public Radio is a member of the partnership.

Valley Fever Advocates See Hope For New Funding, New Laws

Rebecca Plevin — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:29:44 +0000

For Central California families impacted by valley fever, it seemed like the long-ignored disease was finally gaining attention.

Valley Fever Stories: Bernadette Madrid

Bernadette Madrid — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:45:04 +0000

Bernadette Madrid, Bakersfield, 29

I’ve been diabetic since I was 10. I got really sick with valley fever in 2006. It’s been a long seven years.

I thought I had a flu that wouldn’t go away and I had severe pain in my ribs. I also noticed that my vision was becoming blurry, and I thought maybe I needed glasses.

Valley Fever Stories: Jerry Walker

Jerry Walker — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:34:12 +0000

Jerry Walker, Bakersfield, 59

My name is Jerry Walker and I am a valley fever survivor.

I was not born and raised here. In late 1991, I was working as a petroleum engineer for one of the largest oilfield service companies in the world. Around the second week of November, I was working on the west side of the valley and experienced a very windy day with blowing sand.