Originally published: June 2026
Valley fever is a lung infection caused by breathing in dust that carries Coccidioidomycosis fungus spores. It’s been a serious health problem in Kern County for more than 100 years. The fungus can get into the lungs and cause symptoms like:
- Coughing
- Trouble breathing
- Fever
- Tiredness or exhaustion
In 2024, the county reported 3,990 cases and 49 deaths — its highest number of cases and deaths ever recorded. Because the disease is so common there, Kern County is often seen as the center of Valley fever in California. Kern County Public Health (KCPH) is working hard to help people understand Valley fever and how to protect themselves. Much of this work is possible through funding from the
Future of Public Health (FoPH). A major part of this effort is community outreach and education. Liliana Valdovinos leads this work as a public health project specialist, a position funded by FoPH. She works with Assistant Division Director of Health Services Paul Rzucidlo and an epidemiologist who oversees communicable disease work in the county.
Together, they’re helping Kern County reach more people with clear and useful information about Valley fever. Valdovinos educates the public, works with local organizations and recruits ambassadors. She partners with employers to help protect workers who may be exposed in high-risk areas.
“I meet with employers from farmers to concert promoters. We do site visits to show them how to limit dust in the air when working. We also provide guidelines on proper personal protective equipment,” said Valdovinos. “I’m continually receiving and reviewing dust control plans for projects across Kern County. This helps lower workers’ risk.”
The county created tools and support to help healthcare providers get residents the care they need, including:
- A dedicated
email address for Valley fever questions allows staff to respond faster.
- A bilingual
community toolkit in English and Spanish. It explains
symptoms, answers common questions and corrects common myths.
- KCPH Ambassador Program, which trains community members how to teach others about Valley fever. The first training was held with local promotores (community health workers) in partnership with the Valley Fever Americas Foundation and Kern Health Systems. Nursing students from California State University, Bakersfield have also completed the training.
- In 2025, KCPH hosted a statewide Valley Fever Symposium. The purpose was to help healthcare providers better understand how to diagnose and treat Valley fever. Speakers included Kern County Health Officer Dr. Kristopher Lyon and Medical Director of the Valley Fever Institute Dr. Royce Johnson.
Kern County has also become a helpful resource for other counties. Rzucidlo says health teams from all over the state often contact KCPH with questions about Valley fever testing. Many nearby public health departments rely on Kern County’s Public Health Lab for testing support.
“Our lab is one of the top labs in the state for Valley fever testing,” Rzucidlo explained. “It runs Valley fever testing on 18 to 20 thousand specimens each year. The specimens come from various facilities throughout the state including some animal hospitals.”
In the future, KCPH wants to work with more employers and community groups. Their goal is to provide more training on how to reduce the risk of people getting sick. With help from continued FoPH funding, the county can keep checking on people with Valley fever and make sure they get the help they need.
Leading by Example
For Kern County Public Health Director Brynn Carrigan, Valley fever is more than a public health issue. It is also personal. Carrigan suffers from a severe form of Valley fever and has needed hospitalization many times. Her own experience with the disease has shaped how she talks about it and why she believes public awareness is so important.
“Valley fever can cause many different symptoms, but they’re not always obvious,” Carrigan said. “That leads many people to believe they don’t have Valley fever because they don’t have the usual symptoms. I didn’t have a cough or other typical signs. It never crossed my mind that I had Valley fever.”
Carrigan understands how easy it is for people to overlook the signs of the disease. She also knows how serious the consequences can be when delaying a diagnosis. That’s why she’s made Valley fever awareness a major priority in Kern County. Carrigan said FoPH funding has helped strengthen this work. She described FoPH support for a dedicated public health project specialist as a major benefit for the county.
“For the first time, thanks to FoPH funding, we have a public health project specialist focused on connecting with people who have Valley fever,” Carrigan said. “This position helps us learn more, do more, and better target our prevention efforts.”
Carrigan leads
KCPH’s Faces of Valley Fever campaign, which shares real stories from people affected by the disease. The campaign shows that Valley fever can affect anyone and that symptoms don’t always look the same from person to person. She said many people in Kern County believe they aren’t at risk because they have lived there their whole lives. 
It’s in the Air: Be Aware
Carrigan also supports the county’s
It’s in the Air: Be Aware campaign. The campaign reminds residents that Valley fever is a serious health risk. The campaign includes outreach to:
- Media outlets
- Schools
- Community groups
This helps people learn about symptoms, get tested sooner and learn how to stay safe. Carrigan is turning a personal health struggle into a message that can help others. Her leadership is helping Kern County respond quickly and stay connected to the community.
“A lot of people in Kern County say, ‘I’ve lived here all my life, so I’ve already been exposed,” she said. “That’s why I share my story. I’ve lived in Kern County my whole life, I knew about Valley fever and I still didn’t feel afraid. I should have.”
Quick Facts
- Kern County has the highest incidence of Valley fever in California.
- Kern County has a population of roughly a million people.
- Kern County is the biggest oil‑producing county in California. Many people work in areas with Valley fever spores present in the soil.
- The county is also one of the most productive farming regions in the country, making about $7.7 billion each year. About one out of every five jobs is in agriculture.
- Kern County has 10 acute-care hospitals and several smaller healthcare facilities.
Images courtesy of: Kern County Public Health
If you’re a member of the media and have a question about this story, email Media@cdph.ca.gov.