Valley fever cases identified among attendees of Kern County music festival

The California Department of Public Health is investigating Valley fever cases among people who traveled through Kern County in May to attend the outdoor music festival Lightning in a Bottle.

Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis or "cocci," is an infectious disease caused by the Coccidioides fungus that grows in the soil and dirt in some areas of California.

Lightning in a Bottle was held May 22-27 at Buena Vista Lake, near the city of Bakersfield. More than 20,000 people from throughout California and possibly other states and countries attended the music festival.

How many cases have there been?

The California Department of Public Health has identified five patients with Valley fever who attended the festival. Three people were hospitalized.

The department said additional cases linked to attendance at the outdoor festival are possible.

The state health department reported that Valley fever is rising in California, with particularly high cases reported in 2023 and 2024. In 2022, 7,451 cases were reported in the state.

Past outbreaks of Valley fever have been associated with exposure to dust and dirt at outdoor events and job sites where dirt was being disturbed, according to the CDPH.

What are the signs of Valley fever?

Valley fever is a lung infection caused by breathing in spores from the fungus, Coccidioides, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is most common in the San Joaquin Valley and central coast areas of California.

While most people exposed to the Coccidioides fungus do not develop Valley fever, the fungus can infect the lungs and cause respiratory symptoms, including cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fever and tiredness or fatigue. Approximately 5% to 10% of people who get Valley fever will develop serious or long-term problems in their lungs, the CDC states.

In about 1% of people, the infection spreads from the lungs to other body parts, including skin, bones, joints or brain (meningitis).

Valley fever does not spread from person to person or between people and animals.

What should attendees and visitors do?

The CDPH recommends that people who visited Kern County and are experiencing respiratory infection symptoms that have not improved or are lasting longer than a week should visit a healthcare provider and ask about possible Valley fever.

Attendees can also visit public health's Valley fever survey website for more information and to share details about any illness.

How is Valley fever treated?

Treatment for Valley fever may not be needed for mild infections, which can sometimes get better. However, all people with symptoms should see a healthcare provider who can determine if treatment is needed. There are no over-the-counter medications treat Valley fever. Your doctor may prescribe you antifungal medications to treat the disease.

Some people may need to take antifungal medication for months or even years if they have severe disease or certain health conditions that weaken the immune system, according to the CDPH.

Lightning in a Bottle reps issue statement

Representatives for Lightning in a Bottle issued a statement Tuesday following news of the reported Valley fever cases.

"We prioritize the health and safety of all our patrons and are in communication with the California Department of Public Health and Kern County Public Health Department to learn more about Valley fever and any preventative measures we can take to reduce Valley fever risk for future festival events, and to make information available to this year’s attendees," the statement read.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Valley fever cases identified among attendees of Kern County music festival