California Faces Threat from Spreading Deadly Fungal Disease
California is facing an escalating threat from Valley Fever, a potentially deadly fungal disease, with state health officials warning of heightened risks through the fall, according to local news reports.
Valley Fever is caused by inhaling dust contaminated with spores from the Coccidioides fungus. It primarily affects the lungs and can lead to prolonged symptoms such as cough, fever, chest pain, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can result in meningitis or even be fatal, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has noted.
The CDPH issued a warning last week, advising that residents and travelers in the Central Valley and Central Coast regions are at greater risk. They are bracing for a potential rise in Valley Fever cases in the coming months.
“Anyone experiencing a persistent cough and fatigue should consult a doctor about Valley Fever, especially if they have been exposed to dusty conditions in the Central Valley or Central Coast,” urged CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Tomas Aragon in a recent statement.
A recent outbreak of Valley Fever has been linked to the Lightning in a Bottle music festival held near Bakersfield, California, in May. As of August 21, health officials have confirmed at least 19 cases among festival-goers and workers, with eight individuals requiring hospitalization.
The CDPH is investigating the outbreak. The electronic dance music festival, which took place at Buena Vista Lake in Kern County from May 22 to 27, attracted around 20,000 attendees. The surge in cases is thought to be connected to the festival’s dusty environment, worsened by high winds. Despite the festival’s efforts to control dust by watering the ground and distributing free masks, these measures did not fully prevent the outbreak.
California saw over 9,000 cases of Valley Fever last year, with more than 5,000 preliminary cases reported as of July 1, according to the CDPH. The increase may be attributed to winter rains following years of drought, greater soil disturbance in high-risk areas, and enhanced recognition of the disease.
While the majority of Valley Fever cases are concentrated in the Central Valley and Central Coast, there has been a rise in cases in other parts of the state, including northern Central Valley and Southern California.
