Announcements
In light of the current situation due to COVID-19 Coronavirus, the Cocci Study Group Board has decided to postpone this meeting (originally scheduled for April 3-5, 2020), most likely until August 2020 (exact date TBD).
We apologize for any inconvenience, and appreciate your patience as we work out the details of rescheduling the meeting.
We are studying dog immune responses to Valley Fever infection. The study has previously focused on dogs with severe disease and dogs that have antibody titers but no history of being sick. We would now like to study dogs with early stages of primary respiratory valley fever as well. These are dogs with symptoms of coughing, weight loss, fever, lack of appetite and lack of energy that have been diagnosed by a veterinarian less than 2 months ago.
To be eligible for enrollment, the dog needs to have had at least one set of lung x-rays, a blood test positive for Valley Fever, and serum chemistries and a CBC. He/she also needs to weigh at least 10 lbs because we will draw about a tablespoon (10-12 mls) of blood.
If you are interested in participating in this study, please call or email
Dr. Christine Butkiewicz 520-626-6527 cbutkiew@email.arizona.edu
Or
Dr. Lisa Shubitz 520-626-8198 Lfshubit@email.arizona.edu
The 2019 Valley Fever Awareness Poster Contest has concluded and winners have been selected!
The grand prize winner is Nidhi A., age 16 from Maricopa County. Check out the Gallery tab to see her poster and the posters of the other winners. Congratulations and thank you to all participants!
Stay tuned for our Fall 2020 Poster Contest Announcements!
The winners have been announced!
Dr. Galgiani unveiled his new Banner Valley Fever Toolkit on September 20, 2018.
The third addition of the Valley Fever Manual has been finished! Click here: Valley Fever Training Manual to see the new manual!
Valley Fever Awareness Week is here! Click on the link below to view the 2019 proclamation!
Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Valley Fever Task Force, introduced H.R. 6562, the bipartisan FORWARD Act with fellow Co-Chairman Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-6) and Task Force Members Congresswoman Martha McSally (AZ-2), Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37), and Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-9). This legislation would strengthen research and help advance treatment and vaccine development for Coccidioidomycosis, commonly known as Valley Fever, as well as other orphan endemic fungal diseases. Check out the link below to read about this legislation as well as a quote from Dr. Galgiani!
Studies to develop a vaccine to prevent Valley Fever in dogs have made significant progress! Utilizing funds donated to the Valley Fever Vaccine Project, we have completed the first tier of protection and safety studies in mice; we are in the process of creating a second-generation mutant strain to meet regulatory requirements prior to determining that the vaccine can prevent Valley Fever in dogs.
These new guidelines for primary care professionals include recommendations for diagnosing and managing early valley fever infections.
Medscape, LLC designates this free Online CME for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. To access the CME please click below, then register (for free) and log into Medscape.
For a directory of doctors with experience in treating valley fever, in Tucson and Phoenix, please click here: