Kern County Public Health launched a new campaign in April 2025 called “Faces of Valley Fever” in response to the skyrocketing Valley Fever cases in our community and throughout California. Behind every case of Valley Fever is a real person with a story to tell - an attorney, a radio personality, a child. Each journey is different. Their voices bring awareness. Their stories bring hope.

Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis or “cocci,” is a disease caused by a fungus that grows in the soil and dirt in some areas of California. People and animals can breathe in this fungus from dust in the air and can infect the lungs and cause respiratory symptoms, including cough, difficulty breathing, fever, and tiredness or fatigue. In rare cases, Valley Fever can spread to other parts of the body and cause severe disease – this type of Valley fever is less common and is called disseminated Valley Fever.

We proudly introduce the newest faces of Valley Fever:

• David A. Torres, Criminal Defense Attorney. View his story here.
• Ralph Bailey, Host of the Ralph Bailey Show on KERN Radio. View his story here.
• Ivory Nunez, Rio Bravo Elementary Student. View her story here.

 To learn more about Valley Fever or to share your personal Valley Fever story with us, please visit our website. Media contact: Michelle Corson, 661-868-0288 or corsonm@kerncounty.com.