What is it about?
This study characterizes the epidemiology of laboratory-confirmed coccidioidomycosis infections, including risks for severe infection, hospitalization, and mortality, among a national cohort of US Veterans with Valley Fever.
Featured Image
Photo by Dan Page on Unsplash
Why is it important?
People and animals can get sick when they breathe in dust that contains the Valley fever fungus. The epidemiology of Velley Fever in the US has changed due to expansion of the geographic range of the Coccidioides fungus, likely related to climate change and other environmental factors, resulting in outbreaks and increased incidence in recent years. Coccidioidomycosis results in substantial morbidity and is a disease of increasing public health importance, with approximately 20,000 cases reported annually
Perspectives
Providers should consider testing for coccidioidomycosis in patients with compatible histories who reside, work, or have travelled to areas where Valley Fever is known to exist or may exist. Additional emphasis on targeted public health prevention strategies and education are needed to ensure at-risk patients are receiving timely testing, appropriate treatment, and follow-up.
Dr. Cynthia Lucero-Obusan
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Epidemiology of Coccidioidomycosis in the Veterans Health Administration, 2013–2022, Journal of Fungi, July 2023, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/jof9070731.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
