Valley fever cases surged in Arizona in November
PHOENIX (AP) — The number of valley fever cases in Arizona surged in November, putting the state at a year-end total above 2016, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
There were 926 cases reported in November, the highest monthly total since September 2015, The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday.
Officials aren't sure how to explain the November surge, said Cara Christ, the state's health care director.
The high volume of reports in November will likely put 2017's total over the 6,101 cases reported in 2016.
Officials believe 2017's total will remain under the 2015 total of 7,622.
Valley fever is a sometimes deadly respiratory illness caused by spores found in soil.