Board reviews quarterly disease report; epidemiologist flags pertussis increase and discusses valley fever patterns

Mohave County epidemiologist Anna Swetzler presented the county’s quarterly select reportable diseases summary for Jan. 1 through March 31, 2025, and the Board of Health voted to accept the report.

Swetzler highlighted seasonal respiratory illnesses — notably an active influenza season and a later RSV uptick — and called special attention to a rise in pertussis cases: the county had 10 pertussis cases in the first quarter of 2025, she said, and the epidemiologist warned the board the county may see additional cases because pertussis commonly shows cyclical increases every four to five years.

On coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever), Swetzler provided county and state comparisons. She said Mohave County’s case pattern approximates statewide trends but that the state’s highest rates are concentrated in the so‑called Cocci Belt (Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties). She also explained that county residence listed on case reports sometimes reflects where the person lives rather than where exposure occurred, complicating simple geographic attributions.

Board members asked follow‑up questions. Supervisor Gold asked whether variations were linked to soil moisture or testing rates; Swetzler said the causes are uncertain and could reflect surveillance, testing or true increases. Dr. Nguyen, a pulmonologist on the board, recommended clinicians keep Valley fever on their differential diagnoses for community‑acquired pneumonia in this region and noted testing and early antifungal therapy are appropriate when clinically indicated.

The board accepted the routine summary by voice vote; the motion passed with an affirmative outcome recorded in the meeting record.