Latest news with #Coccidioides
Miami Herald
9 hours ago
- Health
- 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
16 hours ago
- Health
- 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.
Medscape
11-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Resistant Pneumonia Case Shakes Up Diagnostic Rules
A 61-year-old man presented with fever, dyspnoea, cough, and maculopapular rash. The patient had no relevant medical history. Laboratory tests revealed leucocytosis. A chest x-ray showed an infiltrate in the right lower lobe of the lung, which was confirmed by CT. However, antibiotics did not improve the condition. This rare case report by Ahmad B. Al-Zughoul, MD, a resident doctor of internal medicine, Saint Agnes Medical Center, Fresno, California, describes simultaneous bacterial ( Mycoplasma pneumoniae ), viral (coronavirus NL63), and fungal ( Coccidioides spp.) pneumonia in an immunocompetent adult. The Patient and His History The patient with no past medical history presented to the emergency department with a week-long history of skin rash, fever, and shortness of breath. The patient denied any preexisting medical conditions. On admission, the patient was febrile, with a body temperature of 38.8 °C. His heart rate was tachycardic at 115 beats/min. His respiratory rate was normal. Blood pressure and oxygen saturation in room air were within their respective normal ranges. Findings and Diagnosis Physical examination showed mild pharyngeal erythema, few coarse crackles at the lung bases, and a maculopapular rash on the trunk, shoulders, and upper thighs. Laboratory findings showed leukocytes with 15.0 × 103/μL (reference range, 4.5-11.0 × 103/μL), neutrophilia of 12.22 × 103/μL (reference range, 2.6-8.2 × 103/μL), and mild eosinophilia of 0.36 × 103/μL (reference range, 0.00-0.35 × 103/μL). A multiplex polymerase chain reaction respiratory panel called BioFire, which screens for both common viral and bacterial pathogens, was performed on a nasopharyngeal swab sample, and it was positive for M pneumoniae and coronavirus. Initial immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme immunoassays for Coccidioides spp. were negative, despite the patient's residence in an endemic area. A chest x-ray revealed a right lower lung infiltrate, which was confirmed by chest as well, which did not reveal pleural effusion or lymphadenopathy. Suspecting community-acquired pneumonia, clinicians initiated 500 mg intravenous (IV) daily and ceftriaxone 1 g IV daily. After 48 hours of IV antibiotics, the patient remained symptomatic with cough and fever, and leucocytosis persisted, although the skin rash was improving. He was started on levofloxacin 750 mg IV daily to cover the possibility of macrolide-resistant M pneumoniae . The patient was still having a cough and fever 5 days into admission, with a high total white blood cell count of 17.5 × 103/μL and an increased eosinophil count of 1.08 × 103/μL. Repeat Coccidioides IgM and IgG assays then returned positive. Following the infectious disease consultation, oral fluconazole (200 mg daily) was prescribed. The patient's symptoms and blood cell counts normalised rapidly with this regimen. Discussion 'This case report sheds light on how the presence of multiple respiratory pathogens can potentially complicate the clinical course and management of pneumonia in such patients. Clinicians should be aware of the sensitivity and specificity of microbiological tests used to diagnose specific respiratory pathogens in their institution to make informed management decisions for their patients. Consultation with infectious disease specialists can be very helpful as well in complicated or difficult cases or cases not responding to appropriate management,' the study authors wrote.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A fungus in Utah soil can lead to lung infections — but officials say there is ‘no reason to panic'
ST. GEORGE, Utah () — If you have been suffering from pneumonia-like symptoms lately (but you don't have pneumonia), you may have ingested Health officials say it's more common than you may think, especially in southern Utah. 'Washington County has the highest rate of Valley fever in the state,' Dr. Katharine S. Walter told 'And we think it is severely underreported compared to parts of California and Arizona, which are very well known to be endemic for the fungus.' , or Coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal lung infection that like fatigue, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and a rash. It occurs after spores from Coccidioides — which live in soil and dust in — are breathed in. If the FDA removes fluoride supplements, are there other options to protect teeth? Dentist weighs in Dr. Walter and Dr. Ginamarie Foglia — both epidemiologists — presented during a lecture series in southern Utah about the effects of Valley fever and concerns related to the changing environment. The aim of the event was to spread awareness of the prevalence of Valley fever, not to spread fear. 'There's no reason to panic,' Foglia told 'It's manageable. It's just that many people don't know what it is.' Foglia said that while Utahns should not panic about the potential for these types of infections, it is important to know what the risks and symptoms are. An understanding of the symptoms could help people better manage the infection. 'Many times it's seen as a bacterial infection, and people are given antibiotics, they don't get better,' Foglia said. 'So, it's really to alert people and to make them aware that it exists here.' The says many people who have Valley fever experience mild symptoms, and 'often get better without medication within a few months.' In some cases, severe infections may spread to other parts of the body, and cause patients to need more long-term treatment. 'This is a disease we should all be worried about because everyone is at risk, and the people at most risk are the people who work outside, who are constantly exposed to dust and soil, like agricultural workers — construction workers,' Walter said. Valley fever occurs after spores from Coccidioides — which live in soil and dust in — are breathed in. When that soil or dust is disturbed (such as during construction or a windstorm), the risk of breathing in those spores increases. The CDC reports that many people do not get sick from breathing in the spores, and most people who do fall ill get better on their own. However, for developing severe forms of Valley fever. If symptoms of Valley fever last longer than a week, officials recommend visiting a healthcare provider. Valley fever is , according to the CDC. Between 10,000 and 20,000 cases are reported to the CDC each year, with most cases reported in Arizona and California. 'Cases frequently are never diagnosed or misdiagnosed because many patients are not tested for Valley fever,' the CDC says. Foglia and Walter said many people often receive a delayed Valley fever diagnosis after initially being diagnosed with a bacterial infection. Walter also spoke about the potential role played by climate change in expanding the areas where the fungus can be found. 'We think that with a changing climate, that the area where the fungus can thrive and survive is likely to expand and change, and that's one thing we really need to study,' Walter said. The CDC says it is 'very difficult to avoid breathing in the fungus' — but there are still ways to help reduce exposure. For example, the CDC recommends using air filtration methods when indoors and avoiding areas (like construction sites) that have a lot of dust. Wearing an N95 respirator when around dust may also help, the CDC says. For more detailed explanations about Valley fever and prevention methods, . Joseph Degolyer contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Deadly Valley fever on rise in the US: Why California could see record infections again
A silent threat could be waiting to make a fierce return to California. Valley Fever , a potentially dangerous fungal infection that affects the lungs, is once again on the rise in the US. Early 2025 data shows over 3,100 confirmed cases have already been reported statewide, which is more than the number of infections reported last year. After a record-breaking year, California may be headed for another surge, which has raised concerns among health officials and residents alike. The lung infection is caused by a fungus that grows in western soil, which can lead to severe or even long-term lung problems. It can turn fatal too if not treated on time and if it spreads to the brain. Every year, it leads to thousands of cases in the USA, and hundreds of people die of the infection. What is valley fever Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection in your lungs that one can contract from breathing in the fungus Coccidioides from the environment. In the earliest stage of a Coccidioides infection, many people don't develop any symptoms or report flu-like symptoms. However, it may progress to more serious stages of coccidioidomycosis. The serious complications of the disease include pneumonia, fluid or pus in your lungs, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and ruptured pockets of fluid or air in your lungs. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch Bitcoin và Ethereum - Không cần ví! IC Markets BẮT ĐẦU NGAY Undo Coccidioides is commonly found in the soil in the southwest US, parts of Washington state, and Central and South America. The infection is most common in California and Arizona. The disease is spread when someone breathes in the spores, although many don't get infected. While the disease isn't contagious, there are outbreaks when there's a lot of dirt and dust. The infection is most common in late summer and fall, and the peak is seen usually in the months of September and November. 'There is no question that the number of cases of coccidioidomycosis is enormously higher than before,' Dr. Royce Johnson, chief of the division of infectious disease and director of the Valley Fever Institute at Kern Medical in California, recently told NBC News. 'If you want to see me, right now you'd have to wait until July, and that goes for my colleagues, too.' The bulk of this year's Valley Fever cases have been reported in Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, and Fresno counties. Kern County, known for its oil production and frequent wildfires, has long been the epicenter of outbreaks. However, new areas are emerging as hotspots. In Contra Costa County, located in the East Bay, cases have more than tripled since 2023. Merced is also experiencing a steady rise, while San Bernardino has already reported 60 more cases than it did last year. 'It appears to be spreading out,' Gail Sondermeyer Cooksey, an epidemiologist at the California Department of Public Health, told the outlet. Symptoms of valley fever Fatigue, cough, fever, headache, shortness of breath, night sweats, muscle aches, joint pain and a red rash on the upper body or legs are some of the symptoms. However, around 10 percent would develop serious or long-term problems in their lungs. Around 1 percent may see the infection spread to their skin, bones, joints or brain. Who is at risk People who work outdoors are at risk. Elderly, immunocompromised, and pregnant women are at an increased risk. California's swing from extreme drought to heavy rains has created ideal conditions for Valley Fever. Wet winters help the fungus grow, and dry summers break it into infectious spores. With a hot, dry summer ahead, experts warn the risk of infections may rise. US: Overwhelmed hospital braces for next COVID surge One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
