People and dogs caught in same fight against Valley fever

(SACRAMENTO)

Valley fever, a fungal infection once limited to the Southwest, is spreading to new regions and affecting both people and dogs. A new UC Davis multimedia feature story and two-part Unfold podcast reveal how doctors, veterinarians and researchers are working together to understand and fight this growing threat.

The feature story, "Valley Fever is Spreading Across the Arid West, Affecting People and Dogs," follows two patients whose lives were upended by the disease and a boxer mix named Cooper, who nearly died before UC Davis veterinarians saved him.

The accompanying two-part Unfold podcast series, "Just One Spore," brings listeners inside UC Davis' cross-disciplinary efforts to diagnose, treat and understand valley fever.

Rex Dangerfield prepares dinner in his kitchen as he talks about how his life has changed after a severe case of Valley fever.

The human impact of Valley fever's spread

The first episode explores the human toll of the infection. That includes people like 56-year-old Rex Dangerfield, who developed Valley fever after helping his mother-in-law in her backyard garden. He developed one of the rare complications: meningitis.

He needed surgeries to keep fluid from putting pressure on his brain and is on daily antifungal medication.

"I don't feel normal anymore," Dangerfield said. "I used to be able to play basketball. I used to love to bowl. I can't do that anymore."

Listen to "Just one Spore" part 1

Cooper, a boxer mix, nearly died due to complications from Valley fever, but was saved by UC Davis veterinarians.

Dogs help track Valley fever's spread in humans

Cooper celebrates his fourth birthday.

The second episode documents Cooper's fight. Dogs, which are highly susceptible, may help researchers predict the human spread of the disease.

"There are lots of dogs, and they don't travel as much as people," said Jane Sykes, a small animal veterinarian with a special interest in infectious diseases at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "They dig in soil, which puts them at risk of the disease. They're potentially good sentinels or signs that humans might also be getting infected in a region."

Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is caused by a soil borne fungus that can be inhaled when ground is disturbed. In severe cases, it can spread beyond the lungs and become life-threatening. California reported nearly 12,500 cases in 2024 - a record year. Case numbers suggest the state might have another record-setting year in 2025.

"If you've driven through the valley and you've got a cough or an illness that doesn't seem to be going away for weeks or even a month, think about Valley fever," said George Thompson, physician and co-director of the Center for Valley Fever at UC Davis Health. "You only have to breathe in one spore once to acquire the infection."

Listen to "Just one Spore" part 2

Related Resources

UC Davis Center for Valley Fever

Listen to "Just one Spore" part 1

Listen to "Just one Spore" part 2

Read the In Focus feature story about Valley fever in humans and dogs

Listen to other episodes of Unfold