McCarthy: Valley Fever Symposium just the beginning the the long fight to find a vaccine for Valley Fever

Rep. Kevin McCarthy gives us his view from Capitol Hill. In his words:

 "I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people that participated this week in our Valley Fever Symposium.  From our Kern County Public Health Department, the Valley Fever of Americas Foundation, the Einstein family, our renowned presenters, and all the families who took part in our

events, I cannot thank you enough.

 "On Monday, hundreds of Valley Fever survivors attended our Valley Fever Survivors Reception and Community Forum at the Kern County Public Health Department – Hans Einstein Center, and I will never forget the little girl that walked up to the front of the audience and shared how this disease has affected her life.  All the stories were so heartfelt, personal, and powerful.

 "On Tuesday, even more people came to California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), as scientists, medical professionals, academics, community leaders, and Valley Fever advocates gathered together to find ways to collaborate with the ultimate goal of finding better ways to diagnose, treat, prevent, and ultimately cure Valley Fever.

 "I know that the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Tom Frieden, and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Francis Collins, left Bakersfield with a better understanding of not only Valley Fever, but of our community. I am truly appreciative that they took the time to visit Kern County.

 "With the announcement of a developing randomized clinical trial right here in our community, we will begin the work to gather the necessary data that will allow us to better understand this disease that have caused so much hardship and pain to our families, friends, and neighbors. I believe we are entering a new era in our fight against Valley Fever and a lot of work still remains, but with our community’s continued leadership, I am optimistic that we will be able to raise awareness and conquer this disease.

 "I will continue to fight to ensure that our community continues to get the attention it deserves.