BAKERSFIELD - President Bush has signed legislation providing $40 million towards developing a Valley Fever vaccine. The grant would triple the amount of money that has been raised over the past decade to develop a vaccine.
Valley Fever occurs naturally in Kern County and is contracted by breathing in a fungus found in soil.
Last year, nearly 1,600 cases were diagnosed in Kern County, but according to the Health Department, there could be a lot more considering about 60 percent of the people who have it also have no symptoms.
The next step could be funding through the appropriation of a new bill or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services could make the funds available.
via 17KGET
