Kern County public health launches 'Faces of Valley Fever' as cases and deaths rose in 2024

Kern County Public Health launched a “Faces of Valley Fever” campaign to raise awareness after officials reported 3,990 cases and 49 deaths from valley fever in 2024, public remarks at a county event said.

At a press conference on April 3, campaign participants described the personal toll of the fungal infection. “I am one of those 3,990 valley fever cases diagnosed in 2024,” said Kerrigan, a campaign participant who described being diagnosed with coccy meningitis, a severe form of the disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Kerrigan said the diagnosis required ongoing antifungal treatment and had been life altering for her and her family.

Joel Bolton, identified in county remarks as Kern County’s probation division director and also a participant in the video series, recounted his own diagnosis and medical history, saying he first tested positive in February 2017 while receiving chemotherapy. Other participants at the public-health event urged residents to “listen to your body” and seek care if symptoms occur.

Public Health released a community toolkit with valley fever facts, frequently asked questions and local resources, and officials directed residents to kernpublichealth.com for additional information. County communications materials reiterated that valley fever is caused by a fungus in soil and is endemic in Kern County.

The campaign organizers said the goal is to encourage earlier diagnosis and treatment and to provide resources for affected residents. The county’s communications referenced the 2024 case and death totals at the launch; public-health officials provided the figures during the event but did not detail specific prevention policy changes at that time.