VALLEY FEVER

Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal disease from inhaling Coccidioides spores in dry soil. A UC Davis study shows dogs, exposed earlier due to digging, can act as sentinels, detecting hotspots before human cases rise, aiding public health with early warnings as climate change expands the fungus’s range.

Last Updated on 19th June, 2025
4 minutes, 40 seconds

Description

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Picture Courtesy:  TIMESOFINDIA

Context:

A UC Davis study reveals dogs can detect Valley fever before humans, offering early warning signs.

What is Valley Fever?

Valley fever, medically known as coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by a fungus that lives in the soil.

The disease is caused by inhaling the spores of the fungus Coccidioides, which is commonly found in the soil of arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in the southwestern United States and parts of Latin America.

Mode of Transmission

The microscopic fungal spores become airborne when soil is disturbed by wind, construction, farming, or other activities. Humans and animals become infected by breathing in these spores.

The disease is not contagious; it does not spread from one person or animal to another. Infection occurs only from environmental exposure.

Symptoms

A majority of infected individuals may have no symptoms or experience mild, flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue) that resolve on their own.

In a small fraction of cases, particularly among the elderly or those with weakened immune systems, the infection can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the skin, bones, or brain. This severe form is known as disseminated coccidioidomycosis and can be life-threatening.

Recent Discovery

Dogs are more likely to be exposed to the fungus because their noses are close to the ground, and they frequently dig in or sniff the soil where the spores reside. As a result, dogs often get infected before humans in the same area. A spike in canine cases can therefore act as an early warning signal for an upcoming human outbreak.

Source: 

TIMESOFINDIA

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements concerning Valley Fever:

1. It is also known as acute coccidioidomycosis.

2. The fungi's spores can be stirred into the air by wind.

3. Most individuals infected will develop severe symptoms requiring antifungal treatment.

4. Full recovery from Valley Fever is uncommon, with many developing long-term lung issues.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A) Only one

B) Only two

C) Only three

D) All four

Answer: B

Explanation:  

Statement 1 is Correct: Valley Fever is the common, regional name for the disease. The formal medical term for the illness caused by the Coccidioides fungus is coccidioidomycosis.  

Statement 2 is Correct: The Coccidioides fungus grows in the soil of endemic areas and forms infectious spores called arthroconidia. Activities that disturb the soil, such as wind, construction, farming, or even earthquakes, aerosolize these microscopic spores, which can then be inhaled.

Statement 3 is Incorrect: Current evidence shows that about 60% of people who inhale the spores have no symptoms at all or have symptoms so mild they are dismissed. Of the 40% who do develop symptomatic Valley Fever, most experience a self-limiting, flu-like illness that resolves on its own without the need for antifungal medication. Only a small percentage (about 5-10% of those who get sick) develop severe or complicated lung disease, and an even smaller percentage (about 1%) develop disseminated disease where the infection spreads outside the lungs.

Statement 4 is Incorrect: Full recovery is the most common outcome for people who develop symptomatic Valley Fever. While the recovery period can be lengthy, sometimes lasting for months, the majority of patients recover completely. The development of long-term (chronic) lung problems, such as cavities or persistent pneumonia, is an uncommon complication, not the usual course of the illness.

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