PHOENIX — As part of Fungal Disease Awareness Week, the Arizona Department of Health Services released data on Valley Fever cases in the state.
Arizona experienced 14,763 cases in 2024, the most recent year with data available, with 986 hospitalizations and 86 deaths.
While most of the cases Valley Fever occurred in central and south Arizona — Maricopa, Pinal, Gila and Pima counties — Graham, Greenlee and Cochise counties combined for 140 of those cases in 2024.
| 2024 Valley Fever Cases | Cochise | Graham | Greenlee |
| Rate per 100,000 population | 73.3 | 99.7 | 62 |
| Number of cases | 94 | 40 | 6 |
Valley Fever is an infection of the lungs caused by a fungus found in Arizona soil.
Symptoms, which usually last a few weeks but can linger for months, include:
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Fever
- Joint pain and muscle aches
- Exhaustion
- Rash
Most people will recover without treatment; however, those with serious symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, lymph node swelling, and bumps or sores on the skin, will require medical treatment.
