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Species of Coccidioides — soil-dwelling fungi endemic to arid regions of the southwestern U.S, Mexico, and Central and South America — cause disease in humans via inhalation of airborne spores. Although some infected individuals experience no symptoms, others develop self-limited flu-like illness, severe or chronic pulmonary disease, or — rarely — disseminated disease. More than 40% of patients with coccidioidomycosis require hospitalization.
Coccidioidomycosis has been a notifiable condition in the U.S. since 1995 (although not in 2010). From 1998 through 2011, 111,717 cases were reported to the CDC, nearly all from endemic states (66% from Arizona; 31% from California; 1% from Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico combined). Analysis of data from t…