All it takes is one breath. An estimated 150,000 people are infected each year in the U.S. by the fungus that causes valley feverĀ (coccidioidomycosis). The fungus is mostly found in the Southwest with nearly two-thirds of all nationally reported casesĀ residing in Arizona.
Arizonans in every county are affected by valley fever year-round. Our newly releasedĀ annual reportĀ shows that in 2016, there were 6,101 reported cases, 705 hospitalizations with charges totaling $55 million, and 57 deaths attributable to valley fever.
Although many people become infected, challenges still exist for being diagnosed. Patients who knew about valley fever before seeking healthcare were more likely to be diagnosed earlier than those who didnāt know about the disease. That is why itās important to know theĀ symptomsĀ (cough, fever, exhaustion) and ask your doctor to test you if you think you have valley fever.
For more information, subscribe to our yearly Valley Fever Bulletin. VisitĀ azhealth.gov/email, enter your email address, select āValley Feverā located under āInfectious Diseasesā, and click submit.
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