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In California, Researchers Uncertain If Drought Will Increase Valley Fever Risk

February 21, 2014
This year, you’re likely to hear a lot of predictions about how the drought will impact our health, environment, and food. But one thing you won’t hear is whether the dry conditions will – without a doubt - increase the risk of valley fever in California. Sure, it makes sense....

Public pushes for new thinking in valley fever research

November 10, 2013
FRESNO -- Dr. Erin Gaab, a researcher with the UC Merced Health Sciences Research Institute, was unaware of valley fever until about a year ago when doctors from Central California Children's Hospital visited her and spoke of how the disease has affected their young patients. Rey Leon,...

Just One Breath

November 10, 2013
About This Series: This project results from a new venture – the Reporting On Health collaborative – which involves the Bakersfield Californian, the Merced Sun-Star, Radio Bilingüe in Fresno, The Stockton Record, Valley Public Radio in Fresno and Bakersfield, Vida en el Valle in Fresno...

Universities Seek Public Input During 'Valley Fever Research Day'

November 5, 2013
This Saturday, community members are invited to attend Valley Fever Research Day at the UCSF Fresno Center for Medical Education and Research. The event is an opportunity for researchers from UCSF Fresno, UC Merced, and Fresno State to connect with community members who have been impacted by the...

2013 Valley Fever Symposium Ends, but Questions Remain

September 24, 2013
Many questions about valley fever remained unanswered after public health officials, physicians and politicians finished a two-day symposium on the disease, but officials and doctors alike were hopeful that the summit will be a turning point in the fight against valley fever. Two of the country...

Valley Fever, Explained

August 14, 2013
A mysterious fungal disease is sweeping through parts of the United States. Here's what you need to know. Read more on Mother Jones. Image courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.      

Hot, Dry Winds Help Spread Deadly Valley Fever Infections

August 9, 2013
In the Mojave Desert, extreme heat and wind, made worse by more intense weather conditions in recent years, has helped the spread of a resilient fungus that causes a deadly infection known as valley fever. Ray Suarez reports on the role of dust in the dramatic rise of valley fever.  ...

Valley Fever Strikes Hard in California Towns

July 31, 2013
Often considered a “silent epidemic,” valley fever officially infected 22,000 Americans in 2011 — most of them in California and Arizona — but some think the numbers are much higher. It’s an infection that can wreak havoc on the lungs, heart, bones and in some cases...

Condemned to valley fever

July 17, 2013
Valley fever, officially known as coccidioidomycosis, is caused by a fungus that lives in the soil in the southwestern United States. Though anyone can get valley fever, it's most commonly suffered by older adults, especially those over 60; African Americans; Asians; women in their third...

Valley Fever: An Incurable Illness in the Dust

July 16, 2013
Cases of an incurable illness called valley fever are multiplying at a mystifying rate in the American south-west. Six states are affected, and Mexico too, but few places have been hit as hard as one remote city. Even in sweltering heat, the wind brings no respite to Avenal. The gusts are warm,...

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