United States: The present year is marked by emerging Valley fever cases, a fungal disease marked by cough and fevers.
There are already more than 5,000 cases from California till June, constituting almost 60 percent of the cases in the same period last year.
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People get infected with Valley fever when they breathe in tiny fungal spores, which are present in soil. This fungus mainly infects the lungs.
Most conditions develop only minor symptoms that require no treatment, but these infections, which are not communicable, can progress to the levels where patients need to be admitted to hospitals.
It is estimated that annually, about 80 people in California lose their lives to it. Moderate cases may take months and may require antifungal drugs.
What are the experts stating?
The California Department of Public Health stated that, a minimum of a few people got infected with Valley fever after attending an outdoor music event at Buena Vista Lake in Kern County in May.
Three of these attendees required admission to an ICU. The health authorities are advising any person who attended the Lightning in a Bottle festival and developed symptoms beyond the normal flu to consult with their doctor.
Spreading of the cases
The largest number of Valley fever cases was previously diagnosed in Kern County; however, many cases were also identified in Los Angeles, Fresno, and Central Coast counties.
With increases in cases across the state, going back to four things to know about Valley fever. As cases rise across the state, here are four things to know about Valley fever.
Spores of Valley fever fungus are carried very long distances. As to the risk factors, Valley fever is caused by a fungus called Coccidioides.
Winds also release the spores because the fungus grows in the soil, and such activities as farming and construction rustle the spores into the air.
The Disease progresses and occasionally affects the heart and brain from the original location in the respiratory system.
Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is most endemic in the arid, warm area of the Southwest of the United States of America and North of Mexico.
Most of the cases have occurred in this state in the San Joaquin Valley, and the Disease is named after this area. Still, reports have been made across the state.
As an immunologist and professor at UC Merced, Katrina Hoyer stated that the fungus could potentially travel far enough in the air. “So even if you don’t live in the region, you still might be exposed,” as ktvu.com reported.