[meteorite-list] Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis) Mohave desert risk for meteorite hunters and rockhounders et al

From: drtanuki <drtanuki_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:32:58 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <1348511578.32848.YahooMailClassic_at_web141402.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>

Dear List,
  Ran across this tidbit about an unknown (to me) RISK FACTOR while Mohave meteorite hunting (in a article about fossil bugs):
http://inyo.coffeecup.com/site/barstowfossils/barstowfossils.html

Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis) Mohave desert risk for meteorite hunters and rockhounders et al
"And now for the obligatory words of caution. Endemic to the Mojave Desert of California and southern Nevada, including the Las Vegas, Nevada, region by the way, is Valley Fever. This is a potentially serious illness called, scientifically, Coccidioidomycosis, or "coccy" for short; it's caused by the inhalation of an infectious airborne fungus whose spores lie dormant in the uncultivated, harsh alkaline soils of the Mojave Desert. When an unsuspecting and susceptible individual breaths the spores into his or her lungs, the fungus springs to life, as it prefers the moist, dark recesses of the human lungs (cats, dogs, rodents and even snakes, among other vertebrates, are also susceptible to "coccy") to multiply and be happy. Most cases of active Valley Fever resemble a minor touch of the flu, though the majority of those exposed show absolutely no symptoms of any kind of illness; it is important to note, of course, that in rather rare instances Valley
 Fever can progress to a severe and serious infection, causing high fever, chills, unending fatigue, rapid weight loss, inflammation of the joints, meningitis, pneumonia and even death. Every fossil enthusiast who chooses to visit the Mojave Desert must be fully aware of the risks involved."

More about the bugs if you wish read Paul H`s E-Pistles:
http://theepistlesofpaul.blogspot.jp/2012/09/finding-fossilized-insects-in-mojave.html

Thanks Paul for your diggings!

Add this one to the Hanta Virus and rattlesnakes!

Best Always in LIFE, Dirk Ross...Tokyo
Received on Mon 24 Sep 2012 02:32:58 PM PDT