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 Valley Fever - The Impact on Arizonans, is a video produced by the Arizona Department of Health Services. "This documentary accurately illustrates the impact that Valley Fever can have on Arizonans. Its intent is to improve everyone's understanding about this disease, hopefully leading to earlier recognition and better management when illness occurs."
Para leer en Espanol
Click here for the Arizona Department of Health Services Valley Fever Report. Also, download the new Arizona Department of Health Services and the Valley Fever Center for Excellence Brochure.
Watch and learn about work being done at the Valley Fever Center for Excellence:
Dr. John Galgiani discusses a vaccine to prevent Valley Fever.
Dr. Susan Hoover presents work on the
development of a drug to treat Valley
Fever.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS! |
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 June 8, 2009 Editorial in the Arizona Republic about the 'mystery disease' affecting a Major League Baseball player. See how you can help.
The VFCE has updated our initiative for the Valley Fever Corridor Project. Track our fundraising progress.
Click here to learn about the November 16, 2008 Valley Fever Ask the Doctors your Questions seminar.
General Practitioners click here to view the slides of the 15 Nov, 2008 CME Presentation.
If you have been recently diagnosed with Valley Fever, are 18- 50, and want to be in a Tucson Valley Fever study, click here
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Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) is primarily a disease of the lungs that is common in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is caused by the fungus Coccidioides sp., which grows in soils in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. These fungal spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed by winds, construction, farming and other activities.
Valley Fever infections are more likely to occur during certain seasons. In Arizona, the highest prevalence of infections occurs June through July and from October through November. In California, the risk of infection is highest from June through November, without the late summer break.
It is estimated that there are about 150,000 infections in the southwestern U.S. each year. Approximately one-third of these results in a self-limited, although often protracted, respiratory illness. However, in a small percentage the illness is more serious and potentially lethal.
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Click image for larger map
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In susceptible people and animals, infection occurs when a spore is inhaled. Within the lung, the spore changes into a larger, multicellular structure called a spherule. The spherule grows and bursts, releasing endospores which develop into spherules. Valley Fever symptoms generally occur within three weeks of exposure. Valley Fever is not a "contagious" disease, meaning it is not passed from person to person. Second infections are rare.
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Many domestic and native animals are susceptible to the disease, including dogs, horses, cattle, sheep, burros, coyotes, rodents, bats and snakes. |
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Valley Fever Center for Excellence, 1656 E. Mabel St. P.O. Box 245215, Tucson, Arizona 85724
HOTLINE (520) 626-6517, FAX (520) 626-4971 |
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