Valley Fever, a fungal disease, has been spreading in California, with warnings from state health authorities about an increased risk through the fall.
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Valley Fever is caused by breathing in dust from outdoor air that contains spores of the Coccidioides fungus. It usually affects the lungs and can cause prolonged symptoms, including cough, fever, chest pain and fatigue.
It can also lead to severe diseases, such as meningitis, and even death, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
"People who live in or travel to the Central Valley or Central Coast regions of California may be at increased risk of Valley fever through the fall. Valley fever symptoms can look like other common respiratory infections, so it’s important to get checked by a doctor if you’ve experienced prolonged cough, fever, chest pain, and fatigue or tiredness" said CDPH.
"Valley fever is on the rise in California, with over 9,000 cases reported statewide in 2023 and over 5,000 preliminary cases reported this year, as of July 1.
"Possible causes of this recent increase include winter rains after several years of drought, an increase in soil disturbance activities (including construction) in high-risk areas, and increased disease recognition, testing and reporting.
"In addition, while most cases of Valley fever in California are reported from the Central Valley and Central Coast regions, cases have been increasing outside of these regions, including in the northern Central Valley and in southern California.
"Given this increase, healthcare providers caring for patients with prolonged respiratory symptoms should ask about outdoor dust exposure or recent travel to areas where Valley fever is more common and consider Valley fever as a potential diagnosis.
"People can get Valley fever by breathing in dust from outdoor air that contains the Valley fever fungus. Anyone who lives, works, or travels in an area where Valley fever has been reported can become infected, including pets. Valley fever is not contagious and cannot spread from one person or animal to another.
"Those who spend more time outdoors and are exposed to dirt and dust in areas where Valley fever is common are more likely to get Valley fever.
"Factors that can increase a person's risk of getting severe Valley fever include being an older adult (60+ years old), having diabetes or a condition that weakens the immune system, or being pregnant.
"People who are Black or Filipino also have been noted to have a higher risk of severe disease from Valley fever, which may relate to underlying health conditions, health inequities, or other possible predispositions."
"CDPH continues to investigate cases of Valley fever among people who attended or worked at the outdoor music festival, Lightning in a Bottle, held May 22-27, 2024 in Kern County.
"More than 20,000 people from several California counties, and possibly from other states and countries, attended the festival. As of August 21, 19 patients with laboratory-confirmed Valley fever who attended or worked at the festival have notified CDPH of their illness through a voluntary survey; 8 were hospitalized.
"People who worked at or attended Lightning in a Bottle this year who think they might have become sick with Valley fever are asked to visit the CDPH Valley fever survey website to complete a voluntary survey.
"For patients hospitalized with severe Valley fever and who are unable to complete the survey, healthcare providers or family members can report their illness to their local health department. Attendees who didn't get sick can also complete the voluntary survey."
"It takes about 1-3 weeks for Valley fever symptoms to develop, and illness can last a month or more.
Laboratory tests are needed to know whether symptoms are caused by Valley fever or another illness."
The Central Coast region includes the counties of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz. ■
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