Monday, Sept. 23 and Tuesday, Sept. 24 in Bakersfield

Help fight the silent epidemic that takes only one breath to endanger lives. The Fighting Valley Fever symposium, convened by Congressman Kevin McCarthy in Bakersfield is to be presented with the help of the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) next week. The public and concerned professionals are urged to attend, network and help be part of progress against this disease.

The event begins with a town hall at the Kern County Department of Public Health on Monday, Sept. 23, then resumes on Tuesday, Sept. 24 for a day of presentations and panels at California State University in Bakersfield (CSUB).

Congressman McCarthy was asked about adding a segment to explore best practices for mitigating dust-producing activities during construction of solar and wind utilities.

Town councils in the Western Antelope Valley have documented that current techniques have failed in their areas where a 545% spike in Valley Fever diagnoses has occurred. McCarthy Aide Vince Fong replied: “We have soil experts giving presentations. We encourage individuals [with those concerns]…to attend and collaborate.”

—By Patric Hedlund

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Monday, Sept. 23
4:30 p.m.: A Valley Fever Survivors Reception at the Kern County Department of Public Health – Hans Einstein Center (1800 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Bakersfield). Survivors, families and friends are invited to share their stories.
5:30-7 p.m.: A Valley Fever Community Forum will be held with Congressman Kevin McCarthy, CDC Director Thomas Frieden, M.D., and NIH Director Francis Collins, M.D. at same location. This is an opportunity for concerned communities to speak their mind, make suggestions and to define possible solutions for prevention.
Tuesday, Sept. 24 is a day-long series of events at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) Student Union MultiPurpose Room (9001 Stockdale Highway).
8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.—State of the Science. Presentations from leading experts on Valley Fever
1–1:45 p.m. –The Congressional Valley Fever Task Force
2–2:45 p.m.–California Public Policy and Challenges
3–3:45 p.m.– Susceptible Populations of Valley Fever
4-4:45 p.m.– Pets/Animals and Valley Fever
For more info: 661-327-3611 and RSVP.McCarthy@mail.house.gov.
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Photo caption:

Blowing dust in W. Antelope Valley

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This is part of the September 20, 2013 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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