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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
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Valley Fever is ready to slam California again with record-breaking cases: Here's what you need to know
California may be facing another record year for Valley fever infections. The lung infections are caused by a fungus that grows in western soil, resulting in serious or long-term lung problems and potentially death if it is not treated and spreads to the brain. It results in thousands of cases every year in the U.S. and hundreds of deaths. The Golden State, where Valley Fever was first discovered, is consistently the state with the most infections. After a record year, early state data shows it's on track for what is looking to be another big one. There are already more than 3,100 confirmed cases across the state. That's more than there were at the same time last year and nearly double the amount in 2023. '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 majority of this year's cases are in Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey and Fresno counties. A significant oil-producing area, wildfire-stricken Kern has often been the epicenter of outbreaks — but there are new areas of concern. Cases in the East Bay's Contra Costa County have more than tripled since 2023. Merced has also seen cases steadily increase and San Bernardino has seen 60 more than last year. 'It appears to be spreading out,' Gail Sondermeyer Cooksey, an epidemiologist at the California Department of Public Health, told the network. Valley Fever, officially called coccidioidomycosis, was first discovered in Southern California's San Joaquin Valley. The lung infection is caused by the fungus Coccidioides that grows in soil in western parts of the U.S., with the majority of cases reported in California and Arizona. Valley Fever is caused by breathing in infectious spores, although some who are exposed are never infected. The spores can be kicked up during wind events, or through agricultural work and construction. While people can get Valley Fever at any time of the year, they are more likely to be infected during late summer and fall. Cases typically peak between September and November, due to a delay from infection to reporting. Symptoms can include fatigue, cough, fever, headache, shortness of breath, night sweats, muscle aches, joint pain and a red rash on the upper body or legs. As many as 10 percent of those who are infected will develop serious or long-term problems in their lungs. Another 1 percent will see it spread to their skin, bones, joints or brain. Those older than 60 are more likely to be infected, as well as people who have weakened immune systems, are pregnant, have diabetes and people who are Black or Filipino. People who work outdoors are also at a higher risk. Researchers have found that cases of the disease spike in California during a shift from drought to heavy rainfall. California specifically has seen rapid shifts from extreme drought to long-lasting atmospheric river events in recent years. Wet winters can provide the ideal conditions for Valley Fever infections, as the summer dries out the land and breaks down the fungus into infectious spores. After flooding and mudslides in March, the state is in for a hot and dry summer, according to federal forecasters. 'As climate change alters the timing and intensity of precipitation in California, we see longer high-risk periods for Coccidioides exposure,' Simon Camponuri, a PhD candidate at U.C. Berkeley, said in a statement.
