Coccidioidomycosis Wellness Tips for Lightning in a Bottle Attendees

California Music Festival Attendees At Risk of Fungal Infection

More than 20,000 attendees at a California music festival may have been exposed to a dangerous fungal illness that 's rapidly spreading across the country . The California Department of Public Health ( CDPH ) is investigating five cases of Valley fever that occurred among people who traveled through Kern County to attend Lightning in a Bottle held May 22 - 27 at Buena Vista Lake , near the city of Bakersfield . Three people have been hospitalized to date , but the state 's top health officials said additional cases linked to attendance at the festival are possible.

Valley fever , caused by the Coccidioides fungus that grows in the soil in some areas of California , is not contagious and can not spread from one person to another . Symptoms include cough , fever , fatigue , difficulty breathing , and chest pain , according to doctors . There are about 200 deaths a year due to the disease . Dr. Brad Perkins , chief medical officer at Karius , a company that provides advanced diagnostics for infectious diseases , mentioned that the infection can be severe in individuals with compromised immune systems.

It is essential for Lightning in a Bottle attendees to visit the CDPH Valley fever survey website for more information and to report any illness symptoms they may be experiencing . Valley fever outbreaks have been linked to breathing in dust and dirt at outdoor events in certain parts of California where the disease is common.

The increased number of Valley fever cases is primarily associated with people migrating to areas like Arizona and California , as well as individuals traveling there for recreation . Aging populations who have not been exposed to Valley fever before and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe disease . The climate crisis may also play a role in the spread of the fungus , as rising temperatures could facilitate its reproduction in the soil in affected areas.

A study published in GeoHealth estimated that the range of Valley fever could extend to the border with Canada by the end of the century . It 's crucial for public health officials and individuals to be vigilant about the spread of Fungal infections and take necessary precautions to prevent exposure to the Coccidioides fungus in endemic regions.