valley fever
Newsletter
Credit: Aranxa Esteve/Unsplash
California music festival linked to rise in fungal infections
At least 19 people have contracted valley fever, a fungal infection that can sometimes be fatal, after attending a music festival in Southern California this past May.
In short:
- Valley fever is caused by inhaling Coccidioides, a fungus found in soil in the US Southwest.
- Of the 19 confirmed cases from the festival, eight were hospitalized.
- California has seen a sharp rise in valley fever cases, fueled by climate change and soil disturbances.
Key quote:
“We’re preparing for another possible increase in valley fever cases in the coming months, and we want Californians to know the signs and symptoms to detect it early.”
— Dr. Tomás Aragón, state public health officer
Why this matters:
Valley fever poses a growing health risk as climate change makes areas in the US Southwest more favorable for the fungus. Public awareness is key to early detection and treatment, especially as the number of infections continues to rise.
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Photo by michael podger on Unsplash
Valley fever on the rise in California due to climate extremes
California's extreme weather patterns, swinging between drought and heavy rains, are contributing to a significant increase in Valley fever cases.
In short:
- Intense atmospheric rivers and prolonged droughts in California create ideal conditions for the spread of Valley fever, a fungal disease.
- The disease, caused by Coccidioides spores, can lead to severe respiratory issues and disproportionately affects certain ethnic groups and pregnant individuals.
- Climate change is exacerbating the spread of Valley fever, with cases increasing dramatically in recent years.
Key quote:
"What kind of disease do you see a 1,000 percent increase in a matter of two decades?"
— Shangxin Yang, clinical microbiologist at UCLA.
Why this matters:
This surge in Valley fever highlights the direct impact of climate change on public health. It underscores the need for climate action and adaptation strategies, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather events, to mitigate health risks and protect vulnerable populations.
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Danger in the dirt
A fungus that lurks in desert soil makes thousands of Americans sick every year with a condition known as Valley Fever. Thanks to climate change, it’s spreading north.
Photo by Simon Maisch on Unsplash
Flu-like valley fever is on the rise. There’s a climate connection
Valley fever is a flu-like illness that’s growing increasingly common across hot, dry regions of California and the Southwest.
Newsletter
Fungal infections: How climate change is advancing cases of Valley fever
Researchers estimate that by 2095, the parts of the US where people will be most susceptible to Valley fever will more than double, the risk encroaching to envelop almost the entire Western half of the country.
A deadly fungus with mysterious origins is raising alarms
Candidas auris, which is spreading around the world, is difficult to detect and even harder to treat. Here’s what we know about it so far, and who’s at risk.
Photo by Adrian Lange on Unsplash
Neil Vora: ‘The Last of Us’ is right. Our warming planet is a petri dish
Scientists like me worry that climate change and ecosystem destruction may be creating opportunities for fungal pathogens to grow more infectious, spread over larger distances and reach more people.
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