Merced Times

Congressman John Duarte of California's 13th district has introduced a new bill aimed at combating Valley Fever, a fungal disease that poses a significant health threat in the Central Valley and beyond. The announcement was made during a press conference at United Health Center in Huron, where Congressman Duarte was joined by public health officials, patients, and community leaders.

The proposed legislation, known as the Valley Fever Awareness and Vaccine Development and Manufacturing Act of 2024, seeks to establish a national strategy for awareness, testing, and vaccine development. "Valley Fever negatively affects our families, workers, and communities, especially vulnerable populations," said Rep. John Duarte. "This bill will create a natural strategy for awareness, testing, and development to protect our Valley from this debilitating disease."

Support for the bill is bipartisan. Rep. David Schweikert expressed his commitment to finding a cure for Valley Fever: “Valley Fever cases have risen by nearly 761% over the past two decades, devastating our communities. We must remain committed to facilitating the development of a human vaccine to eradicate this terrible disease.”

Rep. Jim Costa highlighted the increase in Valley Fever cases since 1988: “This legislation is crucial to developing a much-needed vaccine and addressing our region’s significant health disparities.” Similarly, Rep. David Valadao emphasized the impact on Central Valley communities: “I’m proud to support Congressman Duarte’s legislation to prioritize the development of a Valley Fever vaccine.”

Local public health officials also voiced their support. Fresno County Department of Public Health Director David Luchini noted that vaccines are cost-effective interventions that could reduce future health costs related to Valley Fever illness.

University of Arizona's John Galgiani commented on the potential success of a preventative vaccine due to lifelong immunity in those who recover from the disease: “The public health benefit from a Valley fever vaccine would be enormous for those living in endemic regions [in America].”

Key provisions of the bill include appointing a Federal Vaccine Coordinator within Health and Human Services (HHS), developing a national strategy with an aim to market a human Valley Fever vaccine by 2034, authorizing $50 million annually from FY25 to FY30 for research grants, and establishing a National Valley Fever Registry.

With record-breaking infections projected for 2024 according to local clinics and preliminary data from the CDC, Congressman Duarte’s initiative seeks timely intervention against what remains one of America's largest endemic diseases without an available vaccine.