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.

Zoya Teirstein reports for Grist.

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.

Pollution, climate change and the global burden of disease.

grist.org

Valley fever on the rise in California due to climate extremes

New office at Stony Brook University links climate, community and health

Fragmented forests sequester less carbon

EU countries are bailing out fossil fuels instead of funding the green transition, Greenpeace warns

Experts: You have some power to reduce your AI environmental footprint

Indigenous cultural practices are a climate solution, report finds

Carbon captured

After a civil rights complaint, Chicago built an extensive air-monitoring network

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.