Valley fever cases are on the rise in California. Here’s what to know about symptoms, causes

Valley fever infections are on the rise across California, public health officials say.

Dry, hot weather across the state — combined with heavy winter rains — makes the perfect recipe for an increasing number of cases, according to Dr. Tomás Aragón, director of the California Department of Public Health.

The best line of defense is to know what symptoms to look out for , the public health officer wrote in an August 2023 statement.

Up to 20,000 cases of Valley fever are reported in the United States each year, mostly in California and Arizona, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In California, most cases of Valley fever are reported in the Central Valley and Central Coast regions, the state health department said.

Valley fever cases tripled in California from 2014 to 2018, and 2018 to 2022, the agency said, adding that 7,000 to 9,000 cases were reported each year.

What is Valley fever?

Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis or cocci, attacks the lungs, according to the state public health department, causing the following symptoms:

• Cough
• Fever
• Pain in the chest
• Fatigue or the constant feeling of exhaustion

These prolonged symptoms can make activities difficult. If you experience lingering cough or fatigue, Aragón said to talk to a health provider because it could be confused with COVID-19.

How is Valley fever contracted?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Valley fever is a disease caused by a fungus found in soil within the southwestern part of the United States as well as portions of Mexico and Central and South America.

“People and animals can get sick when they breathe in dust that contains the Valley fever fungus,” the state health department said, but that’s rare.

Those who become infected typically heal without medication, but it can take months. Others need anti-fungal medicine.

These groups are at a higher risk for Valley fever , according to the CDC:

• People with HIV/AIDS
• People with organ transplants
• People taking corticosteroids or TNF-inhibitors medications
• Pregnant people
• People with diabetes

According to the CDC and the Cleveland Clinic, Black and Filipino people are also at a higher risk for Valley fever than others.

Is Valley fever contagious?

No.

According to the CDC, infections cannot spread from the lungs of one person or animal to another .

In “extremely” rare cases, a wound infected with the fungus can spread to someone else. It’s possible the infection can also spread from one organ transplant to another infected organ.

Can my pet get Valley fever?

It’s possible.

According to the CDC, dogs are particularly susceptible to Valley fever . However, it’s not contagious between people and animals.

Where is Valley fever most common?

Valley fever is most common in Kern, Kings, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Tulare, Madera and Monterey counties.

In the past several years, more cases than usual have been reported in the northern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California areas.

In August, state health officials were investigating a Valley fever outbreak tied to Lightning in a Bottle music festival in Bakersfield in May, NBC News reported, sickening 14 people so far.

Valley fever is a significant health concern in Fresno County , where 13 deaths have been tied to the respiratory disease so far this year, public health officials said.

From Jan. 1 through July 30, there were a total of 540 cases of Valley fever in Fresno County, according to the state Department of Public Health.

In comparison, Fresno County had 448 cases of Valley fever in 2022 and 626 cases in 2023, the agency said.

How can I prevent exposure to Valley fever?

It can be difficult to completely prevent exposure because the fungus circulates with help from the dust outside, the California Department of Public Health said.

Here are a few tips to minimize exposure:

• Stay inside with closed windows and doors when it’s windy and dusty.
• Wet the soil before digging to prevent dust clouds.
• Wear an N95 mask when it’s dusty outside.

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