Fungal infections known as valley fever could spike this fall.
ArticleBody:This article was originally featured on The Conversation. As the climate warms, the southwestern U.S. is increasingly experiencing weather whiplash as the region swings from drought to flooding and back again. As a result, the public is hearing more about little-known infectious diseases, such as valley fever. In May 2024, about 20,000 people attended a music festival in Buena Vista Lake, California.
What time of year should you be most concerned? Valley fever cases can occur year-round, but in California, cases reported via surveillance systems tend to increase starting in August and September, peak in November and return to background levels in January and February. Researchers believe that patients are likely exposed to the fungus in the summer and early fall months, typically one to three months prior to their diagnosis.
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