Valley Fever

Dear Sir/Madam
I am the owner/director of PrisonMovement - a group that helps families of prisoners as well as the prisoners with issues from medical to abuse. I am hoping to draw attention to a serious issue that is affecting not only the prisoners, also staff and visitors. The issue at hand is Valley Fever - a lung infection; It is a fungus that becomes airborne when dust around construction areas and agricultural areas is transported. When spores are inhaled, Valley Fever can result. The Medical name for Valley Fever is coccidioidomycosis. Spores are hardy and can live for along time in harsh environmental conditons such as heat, cold and drought.

Valley Fever symptoms can develop in one to four weeks. Men are more likely to be infected versus women; And African Americans & Filipinos are more likely to develop this when considering race. People with compromised immune systems are more at risk also. About 60% of infected persons have no symptons. The rest develop flu-like symptoms thay can last for a month and tiredness that can sometimes last for longer than a few weeks. A small percentage of infected persons can develop disease that spreads outside the lungs to the brain, bone and skin (disseminated tissue). Without proper treatment, Valley Fever can lead to severe pnuemonia, meningitis,and even death.

Valley Fever is diagnosed with a blood test or culture and can be treated with with fungus killing medicines.

There has been a widespread outbreak of Valley Fever at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, California. The newly constructed hospital behind the prison has been cited as the cause of this outbreak- as the soil was disturbed. There are many, far too many prisoners that have this treatable disease- some have died. Why? Lack of medical treatment and a desire by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to keep this quiet. I have documentation showing that there are in fact many who are infected and not receiving any medcial care. I would appreciate your assistance in getting this most serious issue the attention it requires, as this may help to prevent future cases of this disease and more deaths. Please feel free to contact me in regards to this matter. I will gladly provide copies of the documents that I have. Your prompt reply is anxiously awaited and any assistance or referrals you can give, will be most appreciated.

Regards,
Carol Leonard
owner/director
PrisonMovement