Time: 2024-09-06
several person have been diagnose with Valley fever , also know as coccidioidomycosis , following an outdoor music festival near Bakersfield , California . The California Department of Public Health ( CDPH ) report that five patient who attend the Lightning in a Bottle festival have been confirm to rich_person the infection , with three of them necessitate hospitalization . The festival , which take topographic_point at Buena Vista Lake from May 22 - 27 , attract over 20,000 attendant , elevation concern about potential extra case among festival - goers.
Valley fever is cause by breathing in a dirt - bear fungus park in California and some parts of the Southwestern U.S. symptom of the infection include cough , fatigue , fever , trouble breathing , and thorax pain , typically appearance within one to three week of exposure . While most case are mild , around 40 % of person may develop respiratory symptom . From 2018 to 2022 , California record between 7,000 and 9,000 case of Valley fever annually , with certain region like the San Joaquin Valley and the Central Coast being more prone to the infection.
expert warn that Valley fever case have been increase in prevalence in California , with case tripling between 2014 and 2018 . Dr. George Thompson from UC Davis Health express concern about a countrywide spread of the disease , mention a survey propose that climate change could lend to the expansion of Valley fever into state like Idaho , Wyoming , and Montana . Additionally , research has associate the rise in dust storm to an addition in Valley fever case in the Southwest.
diagnosis of Valley fever can be confirm through a blood trial , while antifungal medicine like Fluconazole and Itraconazole are commonly use for treatment . Although there be currently no vaccine available , research is afoot to develop vaccine for the disease . certain group , include person over 60 , those with weaken immune system , pregnant woman , and people with particular checkup conditions , are more vulnerable to Valley fever and are rede to return precaution when in high - hazard areas.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ( NIAID ) has allocate support for research on nosology , therapeutics , and vaccine for Valley fever . early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in pull_off the infection , and health official recommend quest checkup attention if experience symptom . As case continue to rise , awareness and preventive measure are necessity in battle the spread of Valley fever.