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.
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.
A rare and dangerous fungal infection has been spreading across the United States in recent years — and a primary theory is that climate change is driving its rapid rise.
The potentially deadly disease is caused by a soil-borne fungus that thrives in dry climates. In California's Central Valley, farmworkers are bearing the brunt of the problem.
