An Epidemic of Coccidioidomycosis among Archeology Students in Northern California

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Abstract
A coccidioidomycosis outbreak from a common point source confirmed by soil cultures, occurred during the summer of 1970 among 103 archeology students. The students were excavating Indian ruins near Chico, California, 113 km north of any previously recognized endemic area. At least 61 students contracted an illness clinically compatible with coccidioidomycosis. Skin or serologic tests confirmed coccidioidomycosis in 27 of the 61. Notable were higher rates of symptomatic infection (77 per cent) and cutaneous manifestations (52 per cent) in proved cases than previously reported. Two cases were misdiagnosed as "contact dermatitis" and treated with systemic corticosteroids. The existence of a generalized, pruritic, maculopapular eruption in patients with influenza-like symptoms coming from endemic areas should alert physicians to the possibility of coccidioidomycosis. The occupational hazard of coccidioidomycosis to archeologists and other workers in endemic areas deserves greater recognition.

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