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Valley Fever Cases Climb

December 7, 2007

Look out! Here comes a haboob full of cocci spores!According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the reported number of cases of Valley Fever in Arizona has been increasing since 958 cases were reported in 1997. In 2005 the level reached 3515 cases reported.

Alarmingly, the number of reported Valley Fever cases hit epidemic levels in 2006, with 5,535 cases in Arizona – up 57 percent from 2005.

The fungus that causes valley fever — also called coccidioidomycosis, or “cocci” — is abundant in Southwestern desert soil. The organism tends to be found in the top 6 inches of desert soil and is easily blown about in the wind. When soils containing the fungus are disturbed and dust is raised, the microscopic spores may be inhaled with the dust, sometimes resulting in infection. It’s important to note that Valley fever is not contagious — it is not passed from person to person.

In Arizona, the infections are more likely to occur from May through July and in the months following the summer rainy season (October through December). Infection does not always lead to detectable disease. In about 60 percent of cases, the infection is so mild that individuals are unaware they are infected. About 40 percent of those exposed to the spores develop evidence of the disease. Although complete recovery usually occurs, those afflicted may feel tired or have vague aches for up to a year. While it is not often fatal, occasionally the disease develops into a severe, life-threatening disseminated form (about 1% of patients).

Valley Fever Infection RatesAs this interactive map shows, Valley Fever in endemic to the southwest United States. Only six states are affected but nearly 2/3rds of those infections occur in Arizona, with estimated 50% of the population in the yellow zone testing positive for cocci.

While 5,535 cases in 2006 may seem an insignificant number, these numbers actually only represent the tip of the iceberg. Because the signs and symptoms (fatigue, cough, chest pain, fever, rash, headache, joint pain) of Valley Fever are non-specific and mimic those of other conditions, infections are often mis-diagnosed. It’s estimated that the actual number of Arizonans who are infected from the disease is closer to 100,000 a year.

But, Arizonans are addressing the situation. Researchers at the Valley Fever Center for Excellence, a project of the University of Arizona and Veterans Affairs, have cobbled together $2.2 million to do initial trials on a promising drug, nikkomycin Z. According to University Communications:

Results from experimental studies in animal models show that the valley fever fungus can be eradicated with the drug nikkomycin Z. “This offers hope that nikkomycin Z might be curative in people,” says Dr. Galgiani. “The anti-fungal drugs now used help the immune system control the disease, but do not kill the fungus.”

A more detailed video presentation is made available through KUAT television in Tucson.

Written by Mike · Filed Under PharmAZy News