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Task force created to help combat Valley Fever
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FRESNO  (AP) — A California Congressman has announced a new task force to increase awareness about the potentially deadly disease known as Valley Fever.

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield said on Wednesday he will co-chair the Congressional Valley Fever Task Force. It will be comprised of 14 lawmakers from California, Arizona and Texas.

Valley Fever has hit Central California especially hard in the last three years. The disease, which is prevalent in arid regions, can be contracted by breathing in fungus-laced spores from dust that is disturbed by wind or human or animal activity.

The state was recently ordered to transfer about 2,600 inmates from two Central California prisons because they are particularly vulnerable to the fungus.

The task force seeks to raise awareness about the disease and share information about it with the medical community and public.