Although many types of fungal disease occur in our country, there is one that poses the greatest risk to our health in the desert southwest. In Arizona, valley fever has a large impact with over 5,000 reported cases, 700 hospitalizations, and 50 deaths each year.
To raise awareness about this disease, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is partnering with the Valley Fever Center for Excellence and Pueblo Magnet High School to run a Valley Fever Poster Contest. Arizonans, age 18 years and younger, are encouraged to create a poster displaying important messages about valley fever, such as knowing the symptoms (cough, fever, feeling exhausted) and asking to be tested. The winning posters artist(s) will receive prizes and be featured on our website. See poster contest details on our website, and good luck on your entries!
The beginning of the poster contest coincides with Fungal Disease Awareness Week. This week was organized by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and partners to highlight the seriousness of fungal diseases in the U.S. and around the world. Many fungal diseases often go undiagnosed and can lead to severe illness and death. In 2017, the estimated cost of fungal diseases in the U.S. was more than $7.2 billion from hospitalizations and outpatient visits.
