Two-thirds of all U.S. Valley Fever infections are contracted in Arizona even though nationally, Valley Fever is uncommon and considered an orphan disease. The Arizona Board of Regents established the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona to improve understanding, medical care, and research about this disease.
Announcements
Valley Fever Awareness Week 2024 is Here!
It's that time of year again! Each year we celebrate Valley Fever Awareness Week to increase knowledge of this disease in our community. This year, we will observe it from November 16-24th. You can check out the Governor's Proclamation of Valley Fever Awareness Week and our Schedule of Events to see all that we're up to this week. Also, don't miss the new Message from the Director about the week ahead!
VFCE Awarded Innovator of the Year - Academia Honor by Arizona Technology Council
The Valley Fever Center for Excellence was selected as this year's recipient of the Innovator of the Year - Academia Award! Dr. Marc Orbach will be accepting the award for his contributions to the discovery and creation of the Valley fever vaccine! The Governor's Celebration of Innovation Awards ceremony will be held in Phoenix on November 13. To learn more about this event and the other winners, visit HERE. To read about details on how our center was chosen to be a recipient and its meaningfulness to us, visit HERE.
Dr. Lisa Shubitz Recognized as Woman of Impact
We are so excited that Dr. Lisa Shubitz has been recognized as a Woman of Impact at the University of Arizona this year! Her contributions to the development of the Valley fever vaccine are unmatched and she has been a vital part of our center for more than 25 years! We are so thankful we get to work with her and have her as a part of our team! To see the full list of awardees, visit HERE. To read the spotlights for each of the members of BIO5 that were awarded, visit HERE.
Human Valley Fever Vaccine Gains Further Support from NIH
Big news! The National Institute of Health is now advancing the Valley fever vaccine to be adapted for human use! This decision has been long awaited and is integral to providing preventative care to patients around the southwestern United States. To read more about this amazing news, visit HERE.
FAQs
Is Valley fever contagious?
NO! Valley fever is contracted only by the inhalation of the fungal spores. Valley Fever is NOT spread from human to human, or animal to animal, or animal to human or human to animal. The spores change form in tissues of the body and are not contagious in tissue form.
Who gets Valley fever?
Anyone who lives, visits, or travels through the areas where the fungus grows in the soil (these areas are called endemic) may acquire Valley Fever. People working in certain occupations such as construction, excavation, agricultural work, archaeological digging, or pursuing activities like biking or driving ATVs which disturb soil in endemic areas, may have an increased risk of exposure and disease. Earthquakes that have occurred in endemic areas of California have also resulted in increased cases of Valley fever. Various domestic animals such as dogs, cats, and horses as well as wild animals are also susceptible.
Does having Valley fever in the past make me more susceptible to contracting COVID-19?
There is no reason to believe that people who have had Valley fever are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 as Valley fever does not interfere with or weaken a person’s immune system. (May 2020)
Is Valley fever contagious from animal to animal or animal to human?
Valley fever is considered a noncontagious disease. Even if multiple animals or humans are affected in a household, each infection was acquired by inhaling spores from the soil. Coughing cannot spread it between animals or people.