Coccidioidomycosis Valley Fever

What is coccidioidomycosis bones may be infected and cause Who should I and what causes it? lameness, limping, or joint swelling. contact, if I suspect Coccidioidomycosis (cock-sid-EE- There may be draining lesions coccidioidomycosis? oy-do-my-co-sis) is a fungal infection (abscesses) in the skin. In Animals – Contact your veterinarian immediately. that affects numerous species of Can I get animals, including humans. It is In Humans – Contact your coccidioidomycosis? caused by Coccidioides immitis physician immediately. (cock-sid-EE-oy-dees im-mitt-tis), a Yes. People can get fungal organism found in soil. The coccidioidomycosis by inhaling How can I protect my animal disease occurs regularly (endemic) in (aerosol) the spores in contaminated from coccidioidomycosis? the southwestern U.S. and parts of dust or soil. They do not get the In endemic areas (places where Mexico and South America due to the disease from infected animals. the organism is known to be in the dry desert soils found in these areas. Respiratory signs are most soil), precautions must be taken to commonly reported. This may include minimize soil disruption and prevent What animals get fever, coughing, chest pains, chills, spore release (aerosolization) from coccidioidomycosis? and sore throat. the fungus. Dogs are the most severely A severe form of the disease can How can I protect myself affected species but Coccidioides also occur in people and is most immitis can cause infection in many common in men, people with from coccidioidomycosis? other species, including horses, cattle, weakened immune systems, the Maintain good health. If possible, and other livestock. elderly, and certain ethnic groups. avoid traveling to areas where the soil This form may take weeks, months, or is known to be contaminated. This is How can my animal get years to develop after infection. especially important for people with coccidioidomycosis? weakened immune systems. The fungus may invade any Inhalation (aerosol) of the number of internal organs as well as For More Information fungal spores is the only known the skin. Symptoms include low grade route of transmission. The fungal fever, weight loss, muscle aches and CFSPH Technical Fact Sheets. spores become aerosolized through stiffness, sweats and weakness. Coccidioidomycosis at http://www.cfsph. contaminated soil disturbed either by iastate.edu/DiseaseInfo/ humans (as in construction sites) or by CDC website. Coccidioidomycosis natural causes (such as an earthquake at http://www.cdc.gov/fungal/ coccidioidomycosis/ or dust storm). Coccidioidomycosis How does coccidioido- is a fungal disease mycosis affect my animal? that can affect animals and In animals, the disease can vary humans. It occurs in from no signs of illness to severe dry, desert areas. illness and death. Respiratory signs are the most common signs seen in animals and may include high fever (104-105oF), lethargy, loss of appetite, and a dry, harsh cough. In some cases, the fungus may also spread to other parts of the body. This Photo of Coccidiodes immitis from University of is especially common in dogs. The Washington Microbiology

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