Coccidioidomycosis or Valley fever is an emerging infectious disease caused by the inhalation of the spores of Coccidioides spp. fungi which causes respiratory infections ranging from mild symptoms to severe pulmonary or disseminated disease. Coccidioides preferentially grow in warm, water-limited environments of the Southwestern USA and approximately 20,000 human cases are reported each year in the US however the endemic range of the disease is expected to increase in the future because of climate change. The role of wind erosion and activities that disturb the soil are critical as sand sized saltating grains break up and rupture the arthroconidia and suspended spores are carried during dust events. However, the exact mechanism by which arthroconidia of Coccidioides are aerosolized and how soil properties, vegetation cover, and meteorological conditions control growth, dispersal and transport of spores have not been previously explored. The project will investigate the ecological niche of Coccidioides in West Texas soils where there are reasons to believe that current transmission in humans may be high. A serosurvey of the general population in West Texas with a novel, point-of-use lateral flow assay capable of detecting anti-Coccidioides antibodies in blood will determine the rate of current and recent coccidioidomycosis infection along with the risk factors. Results from our proposed research project through collaboration and partnership with local and state departments of public health and hospitals will aid in creating awareness about the disease and to prepare for the future spread and transmission of coccidioidomycosis in the study and surrounding regions.