Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) applauded the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for their $4.5 million investment to establish Valley Fever research centers across the United States. 

“The top priority for the Valley Fever Task Force is to secure research funding that will get us closer to beating Valley Fever for good,” said Congressman Schweikert. “Along with my Co-Chair, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, we have worked tirelessly towards that goal. I know that we have a long way to go in the fight to end Valley Fever once and for all, and this funding for new research is a great leap forward.”

“For years we have been working to mitigate and stamp out Valley Fever,” said Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. “With Valley Fever cases continuing to rise, this funding comes at a critical time, and I am glad to see that Dr. Royce Johnson and the Valley Fever Institute, will be involved in these research efforts. I am thankful to my Co-Chair, Representative Schweikert, for working with me on this issue throughout the years and the NIH for devoting resources to eradicate Valley Fever.”

“Since Arizona is the source of nearly two-thirds of all U.S. Valley fever infections, we applaud the increasing attention that these awards bring to this very important public health and economic problem,” said Dr. John Galgiani from the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson. “It complements the ongoing activities of the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence and the recently begun Valley Fever Collaborative between its three state universities, and we look forward to working closely with the new Coccidioidomycosis Collaborative Research Centers that the NIH has now created.” 



Background 

In 2020, Representative’s Schweikert and McCarthy sent a letter to the NIH urging this funding proposal in order to better combat Valley Fever. The proposed research centers will focus on increasing collaboration in investigating diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. 

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