Number of symptomatic Valley fever cases is at least 10 times greater than documented, study says

Valley fever is a fungal disease found primarily in the southwestern United States and Mexico. A new study published in JAMA Network Open says the actual number of people with symptomatic cases nationwide is at least 10 times greater than documented.

According to the study, knowledge, awareness and testing of Valley fever is limited outside of areas where the fungus lives, like the Sonoran Desert. Researchers sought to address issues related to the reporting and diagnosis of disease.

Study co-author John Galgiani is with the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona.

“The goal of the study was to estimate the true impact of Valley fever infections. And the underlying concern is that many Valley fever infections are not diagnosed," he said.

In doing so, they found the number of symptomatic cases in 2019 to be much higher than what was reported in the national surveillance system.

Study co-author Rebecca Sunenshine says the research benefits health officials.

“It also helps healthcare providers understand that they need to look for this disease and diagnose it so that people can get an accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment and they can avoid unnecessary antibiotics because they don't work for Valley fever," she said.

Sunenshine says a majority of cases occur in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties.