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Source: http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1814307.html
Valley fever cases increase at Coalinga prison
Posted at 10:32 PM on Monday, Feb. 08, 2010
By Chris Collins / The Fresno Bee
The number of inmates at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga who have been infected by Valley fever has increased in the last year, contrary to a recent Fresno County grand jury report.
In 2008, 159 cases were diagnosed, according to the Fresno County Public Health Department. Last year, the number of cases nearly doubled, rising to 311.
In its Jan. 25 report, the grand jury stated that the number of monthly cases had dropped by more than half. "Statistics show a definite drop in cases and the grand jury believes that the medical staff should be commended," the report said. The report didn't indicate the source of the statistics or the time frame in which the change had occurred. A spokeswoman for Fresno County Superior Court, which oversees the grand jury, said the grand jury's policy is not to comment on reports.
The county's statistics, which are based on data reported by the prison, show there were 520 cases of Valley fever in 2006 when an outbreak of the disease infected about one out of 10 inmates. The number of cases decreased the next two years before rising again last year.
There are several theories as to why the number of Valley fever cases rise and fall. Some researchers say that heavy rainfall can spark an outbreak. Others believe that nearby construction work turns up the soil and releases spores that cause the disease.
But Dr. Edward Moreno, director of the Public Health Department, said Monday that research has been inconclusive so far.
The prison's warden, James Yates, said in an interview last month that he believed the grand jury's report was accurate but didn't have "first-hand knowledge" of any statistics.
Yates could not be reached Monday.
The state prison system's health-care services have been under the control of a court-ordered federal receiver since February 2006...
Valley fever cases increase at Coalinga prison
Posted at 10:32 PM on Monday, Feb. 08, 2010
By Chris Collins / The Fresno Bee
The number of inmates at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga who have been infected by Valley fever has increased in the last year, contrary to a recent Fresno County grand jury report.
In 2008, 159 cases were diagnosed, according to the Fresno County Public Health Department. Last year, the number of cases nearly doubled, rising to 311.
In its Jan. 25 report, the grand jury stated that the number of monthly cases had dropped by more than half. "Statistics show a definite drop in cases and the grand jury believes that the medical staff should be commended," the report said. The report didn't indicate the source of the statistics or the time frame in which the change had occurred. A spokeswoman for Fresno County Superior Court, which oversees the grand jury, said the grand jury's policy is not to comment on reports.
The county's statistics, which are based on data reported by the prison, show there were 520 cases of Valley fever in 2006 when an outbreak of the disease infected about one out of 10 inmates. The number of cases decreased the next two years before rising again last year.
There are several theories as to why the number of Valley fever cases rise and fall. Some researchers say that heavy rainfall can spark an outbreak. Others believe that nearby construction work turns up the soil and releases spores that cause the disease.
But Dr. Edward Moreno, director of the Public Health Department, said Monday that research has been inconclusive so far.
The prison's warden, James Yates, said in an interview last month that he believed the grand jury's report was accurate but didn't have "first-hand knowledge" of any statistics.
Yates could not be reached Monday.
The state prison system's health-care services have been under the control of a court-ordered federal receiver since February 2006...