A Valley fever vaccine for animals may be available by the end of the year.
Dr. John Galgiani, founder of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona, says they discovered a vaccine several years ago.
The vaccine has been under development by Anivive Lifesciences, a pet pharmaceutical company. They have a vaccine they hope to get USDA approval for dogs by the end of the year.
Galgiani says when developing a vaccine, they typically start with one for animals because the approval process and development is easier.
“It's relatively easier to get a vaccine approved for veterinary use for a variety of reasons but they are close to that, maybe by the end of 2025.”
Once a vaccine is veterinary approved, he says then companies work to develop a human version.
Anivie has a contract from the National Institutes of Health that would fund them to take the vaccine to human trials.
Galgiani says the UA is mature in its research. The center is affiliated with Banner health. They have been able to work with them to approve the early recognition of valley fever.
“Knowing about it is probably the best prevention of getting terribly impacted by it because that leads to getting a diagnosis if you get sick,” said Galgiani.
Until the vaccination is approved, Galgiani says the risk of contracting the disease, “may be day in and day out of living here.”
The disease is contracted by inhaling dust that contains a fungus found in southwest deserts.
For now, knowing about it is the best thing you can do because you can manage it more effectively.
A diagnosis requires knowing the symptoms. Symptoms may include respiratory complications, aches and pain, fatigued rashes. If you know that you have the symptoms to get tested, seek medical attention.
He emphasizes the sooner you get diagnosed, the sooner you can get the proper treatment such as antibiotics.