Rep. Mike Levin Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Speaker McCarthy & Democratic Leader Jeffries to Advance Legislation to Battle Valley Fever & Address Antimicrobial Resistance
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) and Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) led a bipartisan letter signed by 16 Members of the California Congressional Delegation to Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries detailing the urgent need to develop Valley fever medical countermeasures and advance legislation to address antimicrobial resistance.
“As members of the California delegation, we are deeply concerned about the effect Valley fever is having on our state. We urge you to move legislation forward that would address Valley fever and antimicrobial resistance,” wrote members of the House California delegation.
“Antimicrobial resistance kills approximately 1.27 million each year around the globe, including 35,000 people in the United States,” the letter continues. “We must invest in Valley fever medical countermeasures through antimicrobial research and development to ensure that Valley fever patients have the therapeutics and vaccines they need to live healthy lives.”
Click here or see below for the full letter:
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Speaker of the House
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries
House Minority Leader
H-204, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Speaker McCarthy and Leader Jeffries:
As members of the California delegation, we are deeply concerned about the effect Valley fever is having on our state. We urge you to move legislation forward that would address Valley fever and antimicrobial resistance.
The fungus that causes Valley fever lives in the soil across the southwestern United States, and its reach is continuing to expand. When disturbed, the fungal spores circulate in the air, increasing the risk that humans will inhale them. Infections typically start in the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms can include fatigue, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and rashes. Some patients develop long-term lung problems, and the infection can spread to the central nervous system, skin, or bones.
Cases of Valley fever have increased drastically over the past few years. Between 2001 and 2021, cases of Valley fever increased nearly five times. In 2021, there were 8,030 cases of Valley fever in California.
Antimicrobial drugs such as antifungals and antibiotics are meant for short-term use, but some Valley fever patients must continue taking antifungals for months or years at a time. While antifungal medications are usually effective at controlling Valley fever, they do not cure it, leaving open the possibility of reactivating infections. We are deeply concerned that overexposure to antifungal medications will allow the fungus to mutate and become more resistant to therapeutics. Once pathogens become resistant to available treatment, there is little health care providers can do to care for their patients. Antimicrobial resistance kills approximately 1.27 million each year around the globe, including 35,000 people in the United States.
We must invest in Valley fever medical countermeasures through antimicrobial research and development to ensure that Valley fever patients have the therapeutics and vaccines they need to live healthy lives. We look forward to working with you to advance legislation to address Valley fever and antimicrobial resistance.