Significant Improvements Have Helped Prisons Fight Valley Fever Epidemic
Over the past few years officials have intervened with a variety of methods to try to keep the rate of the disease down among inmates.
KQED:
California Prisons Fight To Reduce Dangerous ‘Valley Fever’ Infections Among Inmates
When the wind kicks up in the town of Coalinga, dust devils whirl over almond orchards and pumpjacks. You can even see the narrow brown funnels from the grounds of Pleasant Valley State Prison, on the outskirts of town.But at the prison itself, there’s hardly any dust. That’s evidence of years of work by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to reduce and control the San Joaquin Valley’s ubiquitous wind-borne dust. The dust carries the spores of the debilitating fungal disease known as coccidioidomycosis, or “valley fever.” (Klein, 2/15)
In other news from across the state —
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Flu Activity Remains Elevated In San Diego County
Flu activity continues to increase across the region, according to the latest weekly snapshot report from the county Health and Human Services Agency. The total number of confirmed influenza cases, the percentage of emergency department visits involving flu symptoms and the tally of flu-related cases in intensive-care units all ticked up in the past week. Though overall flu activity has not reached levels seen in some previous years, public-health officials continue to caution the public to be extra mindful about washing hands, covering mouths when coughing and following other steps that can help keep the airborne influenza virus from spreading. (Sisson, 2/15)
San Jose Mercury News:
Sunnyvale School Grocery Program Provides Weekend Meals To Students
For many parents, San Miguel Elementary School is not just a place to fill their children’s minds but their stomachs as well. Since 2015 the school has participated in the Weekend School Food Program organized by Sunnyvale Community Services in partnership with the Sunnyvale School District. The program allows parents and other residents to pick up 32 pounds of donated food twice a month on Fridays. (Kezra, 2/15)