Yuba-Sutter largely free of valley fever

Source: Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.迷你倉沙田Aug. 26--If you're worried about contracting valley fever, don't be concerned, unless you're driving through Kern County.That's the fever hotbed. In 2012, there were about 4,000 cases of valley fever in California. About 1,900 were in Kern County.What about Yuba and Sutter counties? No cases in Yuba, and one in Sutter, according to the state's tally."We actually get a case now and then, something less than one a year," said Lu Anne Cummings, Sutter County's health officer. "One of the things to keep in mind, people can become infected if they drive through the Central Valley on a dusty day."From 2001-11, there were seven cases in Sutter County and four in Yuba County, according to state figures.Valley fever, formally known as coccidioidomycosis, is a lung infection caused by a fungus that can live for a long time under harsh environmental conditions such as heat, cold and drought.It is spread through spores in the air when the dirt is disturbed, according to the California Department of Public Health."California, Arizona and New Mexico are all areas with more a迷你倉價錢id climate, and there tends to be more it there," Cummings said. "It's something to be aware of."Sixty percent of people who become infected don't develop symptoms, Cummings said.Symptoms include fever, coughing, headache, rash and muscle aches."Most people who become infected don't know about it," Cummings said. "It's kind of like West Nile."According to the state, people at risk for valley fever should avoid exposure to dusty air in areas where it is common. Measures should be taken to reduce exposure to dust during jobs or outside activities in these areas.People at risk for severe disease include those with weakened immune systems such as people with cancer, who are on cancer chemotherapy, or who are HIV-infected.Also at risk for serious illness are the elderly, people of African or Filipino descent and women in the third trimester of pregnancy.Efforts to develop a vaccine are ongoing.CONTACT Harold Kruger at 749-4774.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.) Visit the Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.) at .appeal-democrat.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉