Valley fever is up 800% in the past 20 years, according to the CDC, with over two-thirds of cases originating in Arizona.  However, a new dashboard system is making it easier for Banner Urgent Care facilities to track the disease.

The dashboard, which compiles information from all Banner locations, provides percentages of positive cases, patients’ symptoms and times of infection to medical professionals. The goal is to diagnose more quickly by identifying areas where cases are more likely. 

Banner nurse practitioner Samia Kadri says early detection produces the best outcomes, and stresses the importance of distinguishing between bacterial pneumonia and Valley fever.

Because the fever shares lots of symptoms with bacterial pneumonia, accurate diagnosis can be difficult. The dashboard tracks cases across the state, making it easier for doctors to make a diagnosis based on current percentages of positive cases. 

“The dashboard includes data from each Banner urgent care clinic and it shows the medical providers what the percentage of individuals who are positive with Valley fever are,” Kadri said.

According to Kadri, early detection of the disease results in the best outcomes. She also urges anyone who suspects they might have the fever to visit an urgent care facility.