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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Valley Fever Walk kicked off at CSUB on the Don Hart Drive east lawn Saturday morning, where one family was still in mourning.
The Valley Fever Walk is more than just a stroll, it’s a chance to raise awareness and save lives.
“Everyone’s exposed and some people get sicker than others, we don’t know why,” said Carlos D’Assumpcao, an infectious disease physician.
People gathered at CSUB on the Don Hart Drive lawn to walk and educate others about the fungal infection known as Valley Fever.
“Complications can include anything from pnemonia to skin infections to multi-organ infections, all the way to your brain,” said D’Assumpcao.
Kern County is the epicenter of the disease, representing over 10% of all cases nationwide.
“In September, we had our largest number of cases ever recorded,” said D’Assumpcao.
The walk supports research at the Valley Fever Institute, where more patients are treated annually than anywhere else in the world.
“If you’ve had an illness and your still sick after you’ve completed your antibiotics or you just feel sicker than you’ve ever been or longer than you’ve been, ask your doctor to test you for Valley Fever,” said Rob Purdie, with the Valley Fever Institute. “Continue to ask your doctor to test you until you’ve recovered or until you get a diagnosis.”
You can wear a mask, change your cabin air filter and limit your exposure to dust outside.
Aden Garcia came to honor his Tio, Steven Espinoza. Espinoza was diagnosed with Valley Fever in October. He died March 8, and now, his nephew wants to knock out Valley Fever once and for all.
“Tio, me and all our family miss you. Tia misses you very much, your kids and I miss you too,” said Aden Garcia. “Even your best friends like Tio Fernando, and my dad, Tio Juany, we all miss you.”
Experts say Valley Fever is rare, affecting fewer than 200,000 people a year.
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