Weather contributing to Valley Fever?

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Weather contributing to Valley Fever?

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=4560970

PHOENIX Health officials are questioning whether the dryer-than-

normal weather this year is has spawned an increase in patients with

valley fever.

Doctor Gwinn is a sdale pulmonologist. He says he's seen

about 30 percent more patients with valley fever than he did last

year at this time.

Valley fever is caused by a fungus in desert soil. When the soil is

disturbed _ by digging or by wind, construction or dust storms _ the

fungus releases spores that, when inhaled, can lead to infection.

Valley fever strikes dogs, cats and other mammals much the way it

does humans.

Kathy Push, an assistant at Alta Vista Animal Hospital in Phoenix,

says staff members have also seen a recent increase in the number of

pets diagnosed with the infection.

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On the Net:

Valley Fever Center for Excellence: http://www.vfce.arizona.edu

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com