‘Desert Fever’ Surge Reaches Critical Levels, Counties See 200% Jump!

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'Desert Fever' Surge Reaches Critical Levels, Counties See 200% Jump!
'Desert Fever' Surge Reaches Critical Levels, Counties See 200% Jump!

United States: Valley fever incidence has also increased in California, even rising above figures recorded in 2023.

These figures are anticipated to increase even more once the figures made available are for the month of December.

More about the news

For the year up to the end of November 2024, 11,076 cases of Valley fever were reported based on data from the California Department of Public Health.

This is nearly an increase of 20 percent as compared to the previous year, which was 7396. Meanwhile, in 2022, 6,742 cases were reported.

Rising cases across the US

Kern County has incidence rates higher than any other county, and this current year, the incidence has reached 3,768, or a third of the total incidence.

A few of the regions that have slightly increased their cases through November compared to the same period last year include Los Angeles and Riverside counties, while a few like Fresno, Kings, Merced, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Stanislaus have increased its cases by 100-200 percent.

For Monterey County, the number of cases has tripled from what it was in 2022, which was 100, to 299 this year.

Valley Fever cases

The fungus is found in the Pacific Northwest and southwestern United States, as well as some parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America.

Valley fever is contracted by inhaling spores of this fungus. More peculiarly, not everyone who inhales the spores falls ill.

Lung infection is the chief symptom of valley fever, the specific manifestations of which include cough and fever.

This implies that some persons are more vulnerable than others to falling prey to serious diseases.

Although it can hardly happen, the infection may affect some other organs of the human body.

As with any other fungal disease, deaths can be prevented when treated in early stages with antifungal drugs.

Additionally, the symptoms of Valley fever are the same as those of pneumonia caused by other bacteria or viruses; the infection goes undiagnosed.

Symptoms

  1. Cough |
  2. Fever and headache
  3. Shortness of breath
  4. Fatigue
  5. Night sweats
  6. Muscle aches or joint pain
  7. Rash on upper body or legs

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