Arizona seeing more cases of valley fever

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http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20020301-0654-wst-valleyfever.html

Arizona seeing more cases of valley fever

ASSOCIATED PRESS

March 1, 2002

PHOENIX - The number of valley fever cases is on the rise in Arizona.

The number of cases reported to the state Department of Health Services has

risen to 1,917 in 2000 from 190 a decade ago.

Valley fever, a regional disease caused by mold spores in the ground, can

cause symptoms ranging from mild flu-like feelings to severe illness and

even death in especially vulnerable victims.

Preliminary data shows the number of cases last year hit 2,307 - more than a

20 percent increase.

The largest spike came in November and December last year when 383 and 531

cases were reported, respectively.

That compares with an average 139 cases per month for the first 10 months of

the year.

" The honest answer is, we don't know why, " said Dr. Galgiani, director

of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona in

Tucson. " The population is growing, but the percentage of increased cases is

greater than the growth in residents. "

The center, the only one in the country that studies valley fever, is

working on a vaccine and better treatment for the worst cases.

Researchers believe 60,000 Arizona residents are infected with the soil

fungus, Coccidioides immitis, each year.

But only a third of those, or 20,000 people, become ill enough to miss work

or school and seek medical attention.

A fraction of the cases are reported to the health department.

The disease is caused by spores that are inhaled but is not contagious. It

is often misdiagnosed and can be confused with lung cancer, tuberculosis,

chronic fatigue syndrome or pulmonary disease.

Most valley fever cases run their course, showing no symptoms. But in about

40 percent of the cases, the illness is treated with antifungal medicine and

can last several months or even years.

Valley fever derives its name from the San Joaquin Valley in California. It

is endemic in that area, as well as central and southern Arizona and

southwestern Texas.