Valley Fever has become a major concern this year in San Joaquin County.
In the last 3 years, the number of cases has tripled and this year could set a new record high.
Valley Fever is spread by a fungus in the dirt with spores causing a variety of symptoms including fever, body aches, and cough.
The disease can last for months and can even cause death.
This year San Joaquin County has seen 128 cases so far but November and December are usually the months which account for the majority of cases.
San Joaquin County Health Officer Dr. Karen Furst says people who work in construction and farming are more at risk.
“The fungus is only found in the soil in certain locations," Furst says, "so people who work outside in those locations are the people who are more likely to get exposed to the disease.”
Kern County has the highest number of cases in the state, and San Joaquin County comes in 7th.
And within San Joaquin County, the city of Tracy has seen the highest rate of infection.
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