Valley fever cases spike in California by 20% compared to 2023: Here’s everything you need to know about the infection

The cases of

Valley fever

are on the rise in California, even exceeding the numbers of 2023. The numbers are expected to surge further, as the figures for the month of December arrive.
According to the data provided by the

California Department of Public Health

, 11,076

Valley fever cases

have been reported by the end of November 2024. This is almost 20% spike compared to the last year’s, which was 7,396 cases. In 2022, 6,742 cases were reported.
Kern County has reported the most numbers of cases of the disease, and this year the numbers have climbed to 3,768, which constitutes almost one-third of all the reported cases.
While several counties, including Los Angeles and Riverside, have seen modest growth in the number of cases through November compared to the same period in 2022, a few counties, such as Fresno, Kings, Merced, San Francisco, San Joaquin,

San Luis Obispo

, Santa Barbara, and Stanislaus, saw an increase of 100% to 200%. The number of cases in Monterey County has tripled, as it was 100 in 2022, and this year, the number is 299.

What is Valley fever?

Valley fever aka coccidioidomycosis is a lung infection caused by a fungus called Coccidioides, that lives in the soil. The fungus is native to Pacific Northwest and southwestern United States, and parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. One gets infected by

Valley

fever by breathing in the spores from this fungus. Interestingly, not all who breathe the spores get sick.
Valley fever results in lung infection symptoms like cough and fever. Some people are more prone to the risk of severe illnesses. Though it is very rare, sometimes the infection can spread to other parts of the body. Like any other fungal infection, treatment in an early stage with antifungal medications can save lives.

However, sometimes, as the symptoms of Valley fever are similar to that of pneumonia caused by other bacteria or viruses, the infection goes undiagnosed.

Pet animals can also get infected by the fungus, however, this fever does not spread from person to person or between humans and animals.
Symptoms

In case of severe infection, about 5 to 10% of people develop serious or long-term lung problems. In about 1% of individuals, the infection spreads to other body parts such as skin, bones, joints, or brain (meningitis).

Treatment

Early treatment is the most effective. Antifungal medications are prescribed to patients. If the infection becomes severe, hospitalizations may be required.

(Pic courtesy: iStock)