$125,000 In Emergency Funds To Fight Diseases Released

Governor Napolitano has signed Executive Orders 2006 – 10 & 2006 – 11, releasing money from the state Health Crisis Fund to combat the spread of Valley Fever & Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, respectively. A total of $50,000 is allocated for Valley Fever, & $75,000 is to be used for measures to reduce the spread of the Rocky Mountain Spotted type.

Valley Fever's recently become more problematic in Arizona, because of a surge in cases. It is usually not deadly, but can cause pneumonia in the elderly & other patients with compromised immune systems. It is a fungus spread through spores in soil, & is not transmissible through human-to-human contact. Valley Fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is treatable with anti-fungal medications.

Similarly, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is not contagious through other humans, but is a bacterial infection usually spread through tick bites. It has been occurring with greater frequency on the Indian Reservations of Northern Arizona, & is serious, but can be treated with antibiotics. Without treatment, the disease can be fatal.

The funding will be used for physician education & training, to ensure that doctors have the appropriate information to diagnose & treat both diseases.