The silent epidemic known as valley fever

The scientific term for the disease is coccidioidomycosis, most commonly known as valley fever. Whatever its name, the fungus-caused illness—which can be fatal—is being called a silent epidemic. "This is a high priority for the medical community," said Dr. Tom Chiller, a fungal expert with the Centers for Disease Control, told CNBC by phone. "More people are getting exposed to it, and it's an increasing problem we want to stop," added Chiller. The fungus that causes valley fever lives in soil in the U.S. desert Southwest and parts of Mexico, Central America and South America. Inhaling the fungus' airborne spores can cause flu-like symptoms that can turn into pneumonia, meningitis or even worse. Though valley fever is not contagious, cases have been on the rise. Less than 5,000 cases were reported in 1995. That number had risen to more than 20,000 by 2011. And the CDC estimates that some 150,000 cases go undiagnosed annually.  In the U.S., over 70 percent of cases occur in Arizona and 25 percent in California. The CDC says that about 60 percent of the people who inhale the spore do not contract valley fever. But one out of 200 who do get it will develop the form that can be fatal, according to a study conducted by the University of Arizona. An estimated 30 to 40 Arizona residents die from valley fever each year.  The symptoms of valley fever are similar to common illnesses—fever, cough, headache, a rash, muscle aches and joint pain—which can delay proper treatment, said Chiller at the CDC...more