Valley fever is rising across California. Numbers are skyrocketing in one coastal county
Over 6,700 provisional cases have been reported across California through the first seven months of 2025. The rates are highest in the San Joaquin Valley, the disease's namesake, but cases have been increasing in the northern Central Valley and the Central Coast.
'Valley fever is a serious illness that's here to stay in California,' said California Department of Public Health director and state public health officer Erica Pan, in a statement. 'We want to remind Californians, travelers to California and their healthcare providers to watch for signs and symptoms of valley fever to help detect it early.'
The biggest rise in valley fever in recent years has been in coastal Monterey County, which has logged 348 cases in 2025, through the end of July. That's an increase of over 260% compared with the 2023-24 average.
Ventura County had the next-highest increase, 92%.
California recorded nearly 12,500 cases of valley fever in 2024, the most in a single year. By comparison, the state logged 7,000 to 9,000 cases per year from 2017 through 2023.
Valley fever can occur any time of year, but infections typically happen in late summer and fall. The disease is caused by the fungus coccidioides, which grows in the soil in parts of California. Wet winters help the fungus grow while dry, windy weather during warmer months helps spread spores in the air.
People living in areas with high rates of valley fever face higher risk of infection, especially if they live or work near where dirt is stirred up, like farms and construction sites.
Where valley fever is common, experts recommend people stay inside and keep windows and doors closed when it's windy and dusty outside. They also suggest drivers keep car windows closed and use recirculating air, if possible. Experts recommend that those who have to be outside in dusty air consider using a well-fitted N95 respirator.
Not everyone who gets valley fever experiences symptoms. But some people can deal with long-term coughing, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, valley fever can cause severe lung infections and even become fatal.
In 2024, there were at least 19 confirmed cases of valley fever after a music festival in Kern County.
Of all California counties, Kern County has logged the highest number of cases of valley fever so far in 2025, with 1,945 provisional cases reported.
Over 100 cases of valley fever have been provisionally reported in Contra Costa County in 2025, through the end of July. The total is the most of any Bay Area county.
Research indicates that the rise and spread of valley fever may be linked to changes in climate. A 2024 study reported that swings between wet and dry conditions, which are expected to intensify in a warmer world, were associated with more cases of valley fever.
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San Francisco Chronicle
6 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Valley fever is rising across California. Numbers are skyrocketing in one coastal county
Valley fever, an infection caused by breathing in fungal spores in dirt or dust, is on the rise across California, according to a news release by the California Department of Public Health. Over 6,700 provisional cases have been reported across California through the first seven months of 2025. The rates are highest in the San Joaquin Valley, the disease's namesake, but cases have been increasing in the northern Central Valley and the Central Coast. 'Valley fever is a serious illness that's here to stay in California,' said California Department of Public Health director and state public health officer Erica Pan, in a statement. 'We want to remind Californians, travelers to California and their healthcare providers to watch for signs and symptoms of valley fever to help detect it early.' The biggest rise in valley fever in recent years has been in coastal Monterey County, which has logged 348 cases in 2025, through the end of July. That's an increase of over 260% compared with the 2023-24 average. Ventura County had the next-highest increase, 92%. California recorded nearly 12,500 cases of valley fever in 2024, the most in a single year. By comparison, the state logged 7,000 to 9,000 cases per year from 2017 through 2023. Valley fever can occur any time of year, but infections typically happen in late summer and fall. The disease is caused by the fungus coccidioides, which grows in the soil in parts of California. Wet winters help the fungus grow while dry, windy weather during warmer months helps spread spores in the air. People living in areas with high rates of valley fever face higher risk of infection, especially if they live or work near where dirt is stirred up, like farms and construction sites. Where valley fever is common, experts recommend people stay inside and keep windows and doors closed when it's windy and dusty outside. They also suggest drivers keep car windows closed and use recirculating air, if possible. Experts recommend that those who have to be outside in dusty air consider using a well-fitted N95 respirator. Not everyone who gets valley fever experiences symptoms. But some people can deal with long-term coughing, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, valley fever can cause severe lung infections and even become fatal. In 2024, there were at least 19 confirmed cases of valley fever after a music festival in Kern County. Of all California counties, Kern County has logged the highest number of cases of valley fever so far in 2025, with 1,945 provisional cases reported. Over 100 cases of valley fever have been provisionally reported in Contra Costa County in 2025, through the end of July. The total is the most of any Bay Area county. Research indicates that the rise and spread of valley fever may be linked to changes in climate. A 2024 study reported that swings between wet and dry conditions, which are expected to intensify in a warmer world, were associated with more cases of valley fever.
Miami Herald
14 hours ago
- Miami Herald
California valley fever cases hit record highs again in 2025, state reports
LOS ANGELES - The latest California numbers suggest 2025 will be another record-smashing year for valley fever, the illness linked to drought and precipitation and spread by fungal spores. There were 6,761 cases reported through the end of July, according to state health officials - a significant increase over the 10-year average of 3,833 for that same time period and a slight jump from last year's total of 6,364. The 10-year low was in 2016, when there was less than a quarter of what there is now. Last year's total of nearly 12,500 cases is the most on record for California and far more than the 7,000 to 9,000 cases per year the state averaged between 2016 and 2024. "California had a record year for Valley fever in 2024 and, so far, case counts are high in 2025. Valley fever is a serious illness that's here to stay in California," said Erica Pan, director of the state public health department. Officials say the current count is likely to be revised upward as there are often delays in reporting. Valley fever is most prevalent in the San Joaquin Valley and southern part of the state where the fungus, Coccidioides, thrives in dry, arid soil. Case numbers are also climbing in the northern Central Valley, though, and along the state's Central Coast. Researchers speculate the rise is tied to patterns of drought and precipitation. Periods of severe drought followed by wet winter and dry summer seem to coincide with more people getting sick. They also suspect climate change has expanded the fungi's range into areas where it was previously rare. For instance, since 2023, Monterey County's case numbers have exploded. There were 47 cases in 2023 and 348 this year as of July 31. Cases also doubled since 2023 in Contra Costa, Fresno, San Luis Obispo and Merced counties. People contract Valley fever by inhaling the Coccidioides spores, released when wind, wildfire, tractors, bulldozers, digging or even dancing disturbs the soil. Last year, at least 19 people who attended Lightning in a Bottle, a five-day music and art festival held at Buena Vista lake in Kern County, got sick - including several with pneumonia-like symptoms, rashes, headaches and exhaustion. But most people infected won't get symptoms and will fight off the infection naturally. Those who do feel sick may be hard-pressed to know what they have, since the symptoms are similar to COVID or the flu, further complicating efforts to address the disease. "We want to remind Californians, travelers to California and their healthcare providers to watch for signs and symptoms of Valley fever to help detect it early," Pan said. In rare cases, the fungus can spread to other parts of the body and cause severe disease or death. Valley fever is not contagious. Pan urged people to seek help from a medical provider if they've had a cough, fever, trouble breathing and tiredness for more than 7 to 10 days - especially if they've been outdoors in dusty air in the Central Valley or Central Coast regions. Pets are also susceptible. Health officials said people can reduce their risk while traveling in the San Joaquin Valley and much of the southwestern United States by staying indoors and keeping doors and windows closed when it's windy; keeping car windows closed and using recirculated air instead of fresh; wetting soil before digging or disrupting; and wearing a properly fitted N95 mask if the outdoors can't be avoided. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Los Angeles Times
20 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
California valley fever cases hit record highs again in 2025, state reports
The latest California numbers suggest 2025 will be another record-smashing year for valley fever, the illness linked to drought and precipitation and spread by fungal spores. There were 6,761 cases reported through the end of July, according to state health officials — a significant increase over the 10-year average of 3,833 for that same time period and a slight jump from last year's total of 6,364. The 10-year low was in 2016, when there was less than a quarter of what there is now. Last year's total of nearly 12,500 cases is the most on record for California and far more than the 7,000 to 9,000 cases per year the state averaged between 2016 and 2024. 'California had a record year for Valley fever in 2024 and, so far, case counts are high in 2025. Valley fever is a serious illness that's here to stay in California,' said Erica Pan, director of the state public health department. Officials say the current count is likely to be revised upward as there are often delays in reporting. Valley fever is most prevalent in the San Joaquin Valley and southern part of the state where the fungus, Coccidioides, thrives in dry, arid soil. Case numbers are also climbing in the northern Central Valley, though, and along the state's Central Coast. Researchers speculate the rise is tied to patterns of drought and precipitation. Periods of severe drought followed by wet winter and dry summer seem to coincide with more people getting sick. They also suspect climate change has expanded the fungi's range into areas where it was previously rare. For instance, since 2023, Monterey County's case numbers have exploded. There were 47 cases in 2023 and 348 this year as of July 31. Cases also doubled since 2023 in Contra Costa, Fresno, San Luis Obispo and Merced counties. People contract Valley fever by inhaling the Coccidioides spores, released when wind, wildfire, tractors, bulldozers, digging or even dancing disturbs the soil. Last year, at least 19 people who attended Lightning in a Bottle, a five-day music and art festival held at Buena Vista lake in Kern County, got sick — including several with pneumonia-like symptoms, rashes, headaches and exhaustion. But most people infected won't get symptoms and will fight off the infection naturally. Those who do feel sick may be hard-pressed to know what they have, since the symptoms are similar to COVID or the flu, further complicating efforts to address the disease. 'We want to remind Californians, travelers to California and their healthcare providers to watch for signs and symptoms of Valley fever to help detect it early,' Pan said. In rare cases, the fungus can spread to other parts of the body and cause severe disease or death. Valley fever is not contagious. Pan urged people to seek help from a medical provider if they've had a cough, fever, trouble breathing and tiredness for more than 7 to 10 days — especially if they've been outdoors in dusty air in the Central Valley or Central Coast regions. Pets are also susceptible. Health officials said people can reduce their risk while traveling in the San Joaquin Valley and much of the southwestern United States by staying indoors and keeping doors and windows closed when it's windy; keeping car windows closed and using recirculated air instead of fresh; wetting soil before digging or disrupting; and wearing a properly fitted N95 mask if the outdoors can't be avoided.
