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
We are thrilled to tell you that Dr. Galgiani was just published in the esteemed New England Journal of Medicine! He co-authored a review article, "Coccidioidomycosis and Histoplasmosis in Immunocompetent Persons". We are so happy to see fungal diseases recognized in such a highly regarded journal and getting increased attention! To access the full publication, visit HERE. To read more about this publication and how we can use both of these fungi to learn more about Valley fever, visit HERE.
Wanna see the lastest data for positive Valley fever cases in Maricopa county? Check it out HERE!
The annual Cocci Study Group meeting will take place on April 5-6, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. You can learn more about the event HERE.
A new Message from our center director, Dr. John Galgiani, is available to view. This edition discusses the Western Regional Valley Fever Workshop that was held in November for Valley Fever Awareness Week. It highlights some of the presenters that shared their research during the event and how Valley fever continues to be of concern in the Western U.S. A recording of this workshop is also now available, along with a schedule of the presentations with video timestamps.
FAQs
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.
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.
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)
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.