Dogs Help Track Surging CA Valley Fever

On September 26, 2025, sfgate.com reported that veterinary researchers are studying dogs to help predict the spread of Valley fever, a fungal disease whose human cases have spiked by more than 1,200% in California over 25 years. [4] Dogs are considered effective sentinels because they are vulnerable to inhaling the disease-causing spores while digging in soil. [4, 6] Jane Sykes, a professor at UC Davis, said that her research revealed that spikes in canine cases almost completely mirrored spikes in human cases in both California and Arizona. [4] Because the illness is contracted from the environment, a dog's diagnosis can indicate that its owner has also been exposed. [4]

In the past two years, human cases have reached record levels, with 7,613 reported by August 31, compared to 4,419 in 2023, according to the California Department of Public Health. [4] The department confirmed to SFGATE that it does not track cases of Valley fever in dogs, a gap the university research helps to fill. [4] Mapping canine infections has helped researchers identify unexpected places where the disease may be surging, including coastal regions. [4] By studying the disease in dogs, scientists may discover new tests or treatments for the infection in humans. [5]