Valley fever, described as a “silent epidemic” by the Centers for Disease Control, is the focus of a series of wide-ranging talks at the University of California, Merced.
Twelve lectures were held between March and May, 10 of them on the university campus. One was presented remotely by the founder of valleyfeversurvivor.com and one presentation was held at the UCSF Fresno Center for Medical Education and Research.
“The aim of the lecture series is to raise awareness of a largely silent disease that has a significant impact on the San Joaquin Valley,” said Professor Paul Brown, director of the campus’s Health Sciences Research Institute. “Great strides are needed to enhance prevention, detection and treatment. UC Merced is committed to developing a collaborative approach to respond to this regional ailment.”
Infection occurs when microscopic fungal spores are inhaled. Most people who are infected do not show symptoms, while others can experience flu-like symptoms that last from weeks to months. Severe cases can even result in death. The fungus is commonly found in the Southwest, particularly Arizona and California, including the San Joaquin Valley.
The talks were:
Wednesday, April 2
“The Impact of Valley Fever on Correctional Health Care Ethics”
Clarence Cryer Jr., Master's of Public Health, California Correctional Health Care Services
UC Merced, Classroom and Office Building, Room 322
Friday, April 11
“Ecology of Coccidioides Immitis - Challenges to Detect this Fungal Pathogen in its Natural Habitat”
Antje Lauer, Ph.D., assistant professor, California State University, Bakersfield
UC Merced, Social Sciences and Management Building, Room 317
Wednesday, April 16
“Valley Fever Basics,” plus an update from the 2014 Cocci Study Group meeting
Herbert Boro, M.D., fellow of the American College of Physicians, Cocci Study Group
UC Merced, Classroom and Office Building, Room 322
Friday, April 18
“Inflammasome Activation by the Fungal Pathogen, Aspergillus Fumigatus”
David Ojcius, professor, UC Merced
UC Merced, Social Sciences and Management Building, Room 317
Wednesday, April 23
“Public and Medical Misinformation on Valley Fever”
David Filip, founder, Valley FeverSurvior.com
UC Merced, Social Sciences and Management Building, Room 366
Wednesday, April 30
“The Ebb and Flow of Coccidioidomycosis in Kern County”
Kirt Emery, Master of Public Health, County of Kern, Public Health Services Department
UC Merced, Classroom and Office Building, Room 322
Thursday, May 1
“Regulation of Cell Shape and Virulence in Thermally Dimorphic Fungi”
Anita Sil, M.D., associate professor, UC San Francisco
UC Merced, Social Sciences and Management Building, Room 317
Thursday, May 1
“Coccidioides Species Outside a Living Host: Saprophytic or Saprozooic?”
John Taylor, professor, UC Berkeley
UC Merced, Social Sciences and Management Building, Room 317
Wednesday, May 7
“Undocumented Accounts of Valley Fever: Farmworkers in the Central Valley”
Sarah M. Rios, UC Santa Barbara
UC Merced, Classroom and Office Building, Room 322
Wednesday, May 14
“Preliminary Perspectives of Children with Valley Fever”
Erin Gaab, Ph.D., UC Merced
UC Merced, Social Sciences and Management Building, Room 117
Wednesday, May 21
“The Costs Behind California’s Rising Silent Epidemic”
Leslie Wilson, professor, UC San Francisco
UCSF Fresno Center, Room 116
Lectures were free and open to the public. People unable to attend in person could watch as the discussions streamed online, and are available online afterward, too.
Contact Erin Gaab at 209-228-4803 for streaming details and more information.
The lecture series, funded in part by Sierra Health Foundation, is the next step in an effort led by the UC Merced Health Sciences Research Institute aimed at combating valley fever. In November 2013, UC Merced, UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program and California State University, Fresno’s Central California Center for Health and Human Services held a “Valley Fever Research Day” to determine research priorities and public service needs related to valley fever.
Because valley fever is a rare disease outside the Southwest, it does not attract sufficient research funding. More than 40 percent of people infected with valley fever have symptoms. Many of those infected with valley fever are sick without knowing why or without being diagnosed.
HSRI is developing a consortium to increase awareness about the disease and to improve detection and treatment through research, clinical care and community outreach. Partners include UCSF Fresno, Fresno State, Community Medical Centers, Children’s Hospital Central California, the public health departments in the eight counties that make up the San Joaquin Valley and community organizations serving or working with people most at risk for valley fever.
