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
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.
Anivive Selected as Tech Launch Startup of the Year
Tech Launch Arizona held their 2024 I-squared Expo and Awards this past week, where they selected Anivive as the Startup of the Year. Our center has collaborated with Anivive over the past few years to develop the new canine vaccine, and this would not have been possible without Tech Launch Arizona's involvement. We are proud to have worked with these groups to create a product that will help protect our precious pups from Valley fever! To hear more about the award and the collaboration, watch this video featuring Drs. Lisa Shubitz and Marc Orbach, creators of the vaccine.
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
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.
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.
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.