Valley fever is a debilitating fungal infection found throughout the Southwest, but a new vaccine for dogs may hold promise as a future treatment for humans. This respiratory disease is contracted by inhaling dust containing a specific type of fungus native to Arizona. In 2019, there were 20,000 cases of Valley fever in the United States, most of which occurred in Arizona and California. With the number of cases rising steadily each year, the CDC says the true number of cases is likely much higher, with tens of thousands of people misdiagnosed or left untreated. In Arizona, an estimated 15 to 30 percent of pneumonia cases are attributed to Valley fever. It can be fatal.
Locally, the numbers are increasing. According to Kingman Miner’s 2019 news report, Mojave County experiences approximately 50 to 100 cases each year.
Fortunately, there is a glimmer of hope in a proposed vaccine developed by Anivive Lifesciences in collaboration with the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona. This vaccine is for dogs and has significant potential as a future human treatment.
But before that, it needs a definitive go-ahead from federal officials. We join Senators Kirsten Cinema and Mark Kelly in urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to give full and timely consideration to vaccine applications.
The economic impact of Valley Fever cannot be ignored. According to the University of Arizona, in 2019 the lifetime cost of treating valley fever patients in Arizona reached a staggering $736 million. Investing in vaccine development may reduce this financial burden while simultaneously improving vaccine quality. the lives of victims.
By approving this vaccine, we can take an important step towards reducing the effects of valley fever not only on pets, but potentially on humans as well.
