Valley fever cases on the rise in Tulare County. Here's how to protect yourself...

Valley fever is on the rise in Tulare County, according to local public health officials.

While Valley fever cases usually increase in the fall, they will continue to be reported throughout the winter due to the time it can take for cases to be diagnosed and reported.

In preparation, Tulare County public health officials are warning residents of the risks and asking that people do their best to avoid Valley fever infection - which could be deadly.

Valley fever is caused by a fungus that grows in the soil and dirt in some areas of California and the southwestern U.S. This fungus usually infects the lungs and can cause respiratory symptoms including cough, fever, chest pain, and tiredness, according to California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

People and animals can get sick when they breathe in dust that contains the Valley fever fungus. ​Valley fever can be contracted from just one breath of dust that contains spores of the fungus, public health officials said.

By the numbers

In California, the number of reported Valley fever cases has "greatly increased" in recent years, according to state public health officials. Cases tripled from 2014–2018, and from 2018–2022, between 7,000 and 9,000 cases were reported each year.

The Central Valley and Central Coast report the highest numbers of Valley fever cases in the state.

"Valley fever tends to occur a little more in the southern portion of (Tulare County) compared to the north," said Dr. Sharon Minnick, Tulare County Public Health epidemiologist. "But, we don’t usually know where someone was exposed – cases are reported by their home location."

Areas with new construction or other digging in previously undisturbed land are also hot spots for Valley fever, and these locations often change over time, Minnick said.

In 2021, CDPH reported 317 cases of Valley fever in Tulare County, a rate of 65.8%. The county doesn't have finalized case numbers for Valley fever for 2023 or 2022, Minnick said.

The highest number of Valley fever cases reported in the county in recent years was 2019, with 418 cases. In the same year, CDPH reported 9,004 new cases of Valley fever in California, the highest number since the state started tracking cases in 1995.

While reasons for this record level are not clear, the above average level of rainfall during the 2018-2019 winter might have contributed, California public health officials stated.

Can drought conditions cause Valley fever?

Drought conditions affects how the Valley fever fungus lives and grows in the soil, health officials say.

Researchers have found that during a drought the Valley fever fungus can survive in the soil, even with a lack of water. However, fewer people suffer from Valley fever infection because the fungus is believed to be inactive.

When rain returns after a drought, the fungus can grow again, spreading spores in dirt and outdoor dust that people can breathe in, making them sick.

Toward the end of last year and the beginning of 2023, the Central Valley was hit by several atmospheric rivers. These storms dumped heavy rains over the drought-stricken county. This could mean cases will spike in the coming years.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of Valley fever are similar to many other respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. The only way to know if a patient has contracted Valley fever is with a laboratory test, public health officials said.

About six in 10 people will fight off the infection without any notice of symptoms or perhaps a mild flu like illness that isn’t recognized as Valley fever, according to Minnick. Others will become more ill, and symptoms can include fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, fever, night sweats, muscle or join pain, chest pain, weight loss, headache, and rash.

In severe disease, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, and in these serious cases, prolonged antifungal medicine is required.

How to prevent breathing in dust

• Stay inside during dust storms

• Cover open dirt areas around your home with grass or gravel

• Keep pets from digging in the dirt

People who work outside such as construction workers and others that dig or disturb soil should be especially cautious when it comes to the prevention of Valley fever.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Valley fever cases on the rise in Tulare County.