It can affect people and dogs, Valley fever is on the rise in the Bay Area

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - State health officials are warning about a sharp rise in a potentially debilitating disease that's affecting both humans and dogs.

Known as Valley Fever, or coccidioidomycosis, it’s caused by a fungus that grows in the soil and dirt.

Historically, the illness has shown up more commonly in farming regions like the Central Valley and the Southwestern U.S., but cases are rising in the Bay Area and across California.

What we know:

People and animals can contract the disease when they breathe in dust that contains the Valley fever fungus.

"This fungus usually infects the lungs and can cause respiratory symptoms including cough, fever, chest pain, and tiredness or exhaustion," the California Department of Public Health said on its website.

By the numbers:

So far t