TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - A spike in recent valley fever cases in Arizona has health officials concerned and looking into what could be causing a rise in the disease.
Across the state, Arizona has seen a 107 percent increase in Valley Fever cases between June and October of this year, compared to the same time frame last year, according to numbers provided by the Arizona Department of Health.
In Pima County, we've seen a 97 percent increase in cases between June and October, compared to the same time frame in 2014.
Valley Fever usually affects a person's lungs and is caused by a fungus in the soil. People who breathe in the fungus can experience pneumonia like symptoms including fever, cough and fatigue. Most people experience mild symptoms and may never know they have the disease. Some people may fight the illness for months or years.
Tucson saw above average rainfall last year during September, October and December and that rainfall is likely the reason why officials are now seeing more Valley Fever cases.
"It's on an uptick now," said Dr. John Galgiani, the director of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona.
He says there is a strong relationship between weather and Valley Fever.
