Five- To Tenfold Increases In Fungal Valley Fever In California And Arizona In The Past 25 Years

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While cases of valley fever have been reported in dozens of states, it’s most commonly reported in California and Arizona. In California, there were over 12,000 cases reported in 2024, the CDPH says. In Arizona, there were nearly 11,000 cases in 2023, according to the most recent report from the Arizona Department of Public Health.

Just 25 years ago, both states had reported significantly lower cases of valley fever: specifically, 840 cases were reported in California and 1,917 cases were reported in Arizona in 2000, CDC data shows. Cases have also been rising in Nevada, New Mexico and Utah, which together reported 566 cases in 2023. All other states where cases have been recorded had collectively reported 555 cases that year. But the fungus is also known to be present in Colorado, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wyoming, per a CDC map.

As alarming as these case numbers may seem, the CDC warns that the actual number of cases in the U.S. is “10–18 times” higher than the reported numbers, as many patients may never seek treatment. This also means the CDC believes the annual death toll in the U.S. to be closer to 1,000.

A recent study also determined that dogs, an animal which can also become infected with valley fever, may be able to predict a surge in cases — or a surge in a new area. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, said recent antibody testing data from canines across the country shows a concerning trend. “We were … finding cases in states where valley fever is not considered endemic,” lead author Jane Sykes, a professor of veterinary medicine at UC Davis, said. “We should be closely watching those states because there could be under-recognition of the emerging fungal disease in humans.” Health officials, meanwhile, are urging the public to practice prevention and learn to recognize the symptoms of valley fever to help keep themselves safe.

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https://thehill.com/homenews/5516053-what-is-valley-fever-cases-of-fungal-infection-on-upward-trend-cdc-data-shows/