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Campus Research Reaches National Audience
Katrina Hoyer discussed her efforts to understand Valley fever immunology with the nationally known radio program (image credit: CDC) 
How Does Valley Fever Affect Farmworkers?
Valley Fever Network member and UC Merced affiliate Carol Sipan highlights the challenges in diagnosing the disease. 
UC Merced Professor Katrina Hoyer
Researcher Takes First Step Toward Improved Diagnosis for Valley Fever
Clinicians searching for a new way to identify Valley fever patients who will develop the disease’s worst symptoms will find hope in a new paper by UC Merced Professor Katrina Hoyer .
UC Merced faculty members (L-R) Profs. Aaron Hernday, Katrina Hoyer and Clarissa Nobile
UC Merced Researchers are at the Forefront of Valley Fever Research
UC Merced's planned Biological Safety Level 3 laboratories - part of the University's 2020 Project - will be an essential resource in the quest to learn more about valley fever.
Dust in California's San Joaquin Valley
Welcome to the California Valley Fever Network at UC Merced
Dust in California's San Joaquin Valley can carry cocci spores. Did you know that undisturbed soil is more likely to harbor the spores that cause valley fever?

What is Valley Fever?

Coccidioidomycosis (kok-sid-e-oy-doh-my-KOH-sis), more commonly known as "cocci" or valley fever is an illness caused by a fungus that can be found in the soil and dirt of California's San Joaquin Valley, and other parts of the southwestern United States. It is spread in human and animal populations by fungal spores which, when inhaled, can cause a range of symptoms from mild flu symptoms and rash, to nodules, ulcers and skin lesions, and even a form of meningitis that can be fatal. You can find out more about valley fever symptoms at the Mayo Clinic.

Connecting Valley Fever Researchers, Advocates and the Community

The Health Sciences Research Institute is taking a step toward fighting valley fever. Despite evidence that as many as 80 percent of the residents in the San Joaquin Valley are exposed to the fungus that causes valley fever, there is little consensus around patients at highest risk of developing fungal infection, practical measures that can be taken to prevent exposure, treatment or reducing the burden of the disease on the people in the region.

Facilitating Valley Fever Research

As the only health institute in the San Joaquin Valley's only research university, the Health Sciences Research Institute (HSRI) is in a unique position to promote regional approaches to conditions such as valley fever. In February 2013, HSRI began organizing research meetings in Fresno and developing priorities for research and action. The Institute also initiated a series of studies and talks aimed at furthering our community's understanding of the condition and the impact on the children and adults in the region. HSRI is developing a series of actionable points around biomedical, clinical, public health and advocacy research.

 

Featured News

Several farmworkers are seen in a field.
February 3, 2023

A new landmark study by the UC Merced Community and Labor Center shows farmworkers across California are facing serious health challenges on a daily basis. The goal of the Farmworker Health Study ...

March 31, 2022

UC Merced’s Graduate Division will host its annual Grad Slam competition on April 8, with graduate scholars presenting their research on topics ranging from the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on high...

March 28, 2022

Professor Katrina Hoyer ’s lab is helping UC Merced serve the San Joaquin Valley community through its studies of immune responses to Valley fever and other diseases. Graduate students Susana Tejeda...

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