Rob Purdie found out he had valley fever after weeks of misdiagnosis.
"I had a headache for six weeks at this point, I am nauseous, I have lost a ton of weight, I am not looking good, my wife is worried and I am worried," said Purdie.
The disease is caused by breathing in spores of fungus in the soil and dust in the air, leaving everyone susceptible.
According to Kern County Public Health, nearly 3,000 people in Kern County were diagnosed with valley fever in 2017.
This prompted Assemblymember Rudy Salas to take action. He authored three valley fever bills that went to Governor Jerry Brown's desk.
Assembly Bill 1790 of them still waiting for a signature. "It will provide physician education, training and resources and help educate the public about valley fever," said Salas.
Salas secured eight million dollars in the state budget for valley fever -- two million of that will fund awareness and education efforts.
