TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Arizona reported nearly 15,000 valley fever cases in 2024, marking a record-breaking year for the infectious disease, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Valley fever infects roughly 20,000 people every year, according to the latest national data from the CDC , but Arizona is responsible for most of those cases.

More than half of valley fever cases in the country occur in Arizona, and that number has been increasing. Health experts say the alarming data is likely due to increased awareness of the disease rather than a true spike in infections.

“Over the past few years, especially from last year on, we see a lot more patients,” said Fariba Donovan, an Associate Professor of medicine and researcher with the University of Arizona’s Valley

See Full Page