Hawaii family found a Valley Fever lifeline in Phoenix
ABC15 Arizona • • health
Key Points:
- Kahaone Kelau, a young man from Hawaii, suffered a severe case of Valley Fever that spread to his brain, leading to a stroke and long-term hospitalization in Arizona.
- Valley Fever is a fungal infection from soil spores in the American Southwest, often undetected or misdiagnosed, and can cause serious complications when it spreads beyond the lungs.
- Kaha's mother found hope through another Valley Fever survivor, Chris Sams, whose online story led them to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix for specialized treatment.
- Kaha is currently using an eye-tracking device to communicate and remains hospitalized in Arizona due to the lack of advanced medical care for his condition in Hawaii.
- Arizona has the highest number of Valley Fever cases in the U.S., and researchers are developing a rapid test expected to be available soon; individuals with persistent symptoms after dust exposure are urged to seek testing.
