All articles tagged with #valleyfever
A Phoenix man is showing signs of improvement after years of treatment for a severe Valley Fever infection that spread to his brain, requiring specialized care at the Mayo Clinic, highlighting the seriousness of complex Valley Fever cases and ongoing research efforts in the Southwest.
Valley Fever, a deadly lung infection caused by the fungus coccidioides, is surging on the West Coast, particularly in Arizona and California, with cases rising significantly. The disease, which can be misdiagnosed as pneumonia, has no preventative vaccine, but efforts are underway to develop one, including a $33 million NIH-funded project at the University of Arizona. The infection, which can become severe and spread to other body parts, is expected to increase due to climate change, potentially affecting more states in the future.
The rapid urban development and climate change in St. George, Utah, are contributing to a rise in Valley fever, a fungal infection caused by inhaling spores from disturbed soil. The construction boom, coupled with increasing drought and dust storms, is exacerbating the spread of this often misdiagnosed disease. Residents and workers in the area are at heightened risk, with many experiencing severe symptoms before receiving a correct diagnosis. The situation highlights the broader impact of environmental changes on public health and the need for updated risk assessments and preventive measures.
A new study by TGen in the Phoenix area has debunked the common belief that haboobs or dust storms increase the risk of Valley fever, a fungal infection. Analysis of over 5,200 air filters showed no difference in the prevalence of the fungus before or after such events. The study suggests that local activities like development or construction may be responsible for lifting spores from the soil and spreading them in the air. TGen is now sequencing the fungus to identify different strains across the desert southwest, aiming to improve public information and prevent the spread of the spores.
Valley fever, a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides, is spreading in the American West due to climate change and its impact on soil and rodent populations. The fungus, which can cause serious illness and even death, is difficult to track and underreported. Researchers are studying the endozoan hypothesis, which suggests that rodents play a key role in the fungus's life cycle, and are working to build a real-time map of its spread. Climate change is expected to double the area of Cocci's potential habitat by 2090, with costs associated with the infection predicted to increase nearly 400% over the next 70 years.