Valley fever responsible for Monterey County death

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Posted on Fri, Feb. 17, 2006

Valley fever responsible for Monterey County death

Bay City News Service

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/13892789.htm

San Mercury News - CA

SALINAS - An outbreak of valley fever has killed one person and

hospitalized several others in Monterey County since the end of last

year, a Monterey County health officer said today.

Valley fever is caused by a fungus, Coccidioides immitis, that

occurs naturally in the soil in the southwestern United States as

well as parts of Mexico and South America. Only 40 percent of those

exposed to the fungus develop symptoms, which include fever, cough,

headache, rash and fatigue.

Untreated valley fever can be fatal, according to Monterey County

Deputy Health Officer Velasquez.

There have been 13 reported cases of valley fever in Monterey County

in 2006. Twenty-two cases were reported in 2005, with most of those

occurring at the end of the year, Velasquez said.

`Apparently there was some incident that happened at the tail end of

last year,'' Velasquez said.

There were only 12 reported cases of valley fever in all of 2003,

the last year with full statistics on the disease, Velasquez said.

Monterey County health officials are still investigating the

outbreak to determine any links between the cases. They do know that

the serious cases have some common factors.

`All of these have been Caucasians. They all work outdoors or have

hobbies that take them outdoors,'' Velasquez said.

Valley fever sufferers often mistake the malady for a cold of flu.

Velasquez said that anyone with a cough that lasts more than a

couple of weeks should consult a doctor about valley fever.

`If you persist in coughing, there's something that's causing it,''

Velasquez said.

Residents with questions or concerns about valley fever should

contact the Monterey County Health Department at (831) 755-4521