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What is Valley fever? Symptoms of the fungus disease spreading in California, explained
Valley fever, a disease caused by breathing in a type of fungus primarily found in the Southwest, is on the rise in California, according to the state’s department of public health.
“People who live in or travel to the Central Valley or Central Coast regions of California may be at increased risk of Valley fever through the fall,” the department recently warned.
Compared to more than 9,000 reported cases statewide in 2023, there have already been more 5,000 preliminary cases reported this year as of July 1, the department reported.
Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis or “cocci,” is caused by inhaling dust or dirt containing a fungus called Coccidioides. It can infect the lungs and cause respiratory symptoms. In rare cases, it can be fatal.
“Anyone who lives, works, or travels in an area where Valley fever has been reported can become infected, including pets,” the health department said in a news release. “Valley fever is not contagious and cannot spread from one person or animal to another.”
Where is Valley fever found
In addition to California, Valley fever is typically reported in other western states including Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.
Within the past two decades, cases of the illness have increased across the country, according to data from the CDC. Still, thousands of cases are not reported, and many are never diagnosed or are misdiagnosed, the CDC says.
Researchers recently found that drought seasons and climate change play a role in increasing the risk of infection.
During drought periods, peaks in Valley fever cases are less severe, but when rain returns, peaks are particularly high, according to the study published recently in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas journal.
Though timing can differ depending on exact location and year, the study also found that most cases in California occur from September to November.
Valley fever symptoms
Valley fever often starts mild, with signs similar to the flu or COVID-19, including fever and cough. People may also experience rashes, headaches, fatigue, night sweats, muscle aches or joint pain, according to the CDC.
Symptoms typically develop between 1 and 3 weeks after breathing in spores of the fungus, which occur naturally in the soil of some Western states, primarily across the Southwest.
While some people recover on their own, dangerous complications can develop in as many as 10% of cases, the CDC says.
Certain factors can also increase a person’s risk of getting a severe case, including being 60 years of age or older, having diabetes or a condition that weakens the immune system, or being pregnant, according to California’s Department of Public Health.
How to treat Valley fever
While potential vaccines have been tested in animals, there is currently none available for treating or preventing Valley fever.
Instead, antifungal treatments, typically fluconazole or amphotericin B, are used to treat some cases of the illness. In other cases, infections resolve without antifungal treatment, the CDC says.
To help prevent Valley fever in areas with high rates, the California health department suggests:
- Staying indoors when it’s windy outside and the air is dusty
- Keeping car windows closed and using recirculating air when driving through dusty areas
- Wetting dirt before digging to reduce dust
- Wearing a N95 mask if you must be outdoor in these dusty areas
contributed to this report.
Americans are expected to spend more money heating their homes this winter than on holiday gifts, according to new research.
The elevated cost of staying warm indoors amid cold outdoor temperatures comes after an unusually hot summer, that led to households spending bigger shares of their budgets on cooling costs, compared with previous years, according to a report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA).
On average, spending on home heating this winter is projected to increase by 8.7% to $941, up from $866 last winter. The increased costs are attributed in part to both expected colder temperatures in the Northeast and Midwest states.
The new average expenditure on heating costs outpaces the $902 the average household is expected to spend on Christmas presents this year, according to a forecast from the National Retail Federation.
What’s driving up home heating costs?
There are different ways to keep residences warm. Families that use electricity to heat their homes are expected to face the largest increase in costs — more than 14% — which will bring the total up to $1,189 from $1,040 from mid-November through mid-March, which NEADA considers to be the winter period.
Driving up prices is the rising cost of updating and maintaining the electric grid. Plus, colder weather is expected to lead to increased consumption.
“It’s colder, and the cost of electricity is up as the grid is rebuilt. So we’re seeing both higher prices and greater usage,” NEADA Executive Director Mark Wolfe told CBS MoneyWatch.
Natural gas, propane and heating oil cost differences
Natural gas and propane users are also expected to be hit with bigger bills this winter. Heating costs for natural gas are up just over 3%, for an average cost of $634 for the winter period, compared with $615 for 2023-2024. Costs are expected to rise only modestly in line with wholesale prices.
Propane costs are up 4.4%, with families expected to spend an average of $1,231 heating homes, up from $1,179 last season.
Heating oil costs, by contrast, have declined 2.7%, which means average spending this winter will be $1,518, down from $1,560 last winter.
Early start to the season
November was colder than usual, with temperatures dropping prematurely after a “very expensive summer” of heat waves straining cooling resources, said Wolfe.
Blame climate change for the big swings in temperature, he added.
“Weather conditions can be very unpredictable even though over time, winters are getting warmer and summers are getting hotter. It’s not a straight line, and for consumers, it’s quite upsetting because higher utility bills are coming right before Christmas,” Wolfe said.
Steps to take now
There are steps consumers can take to help keep a lid on home heating costs.
Wolfe urges people to have their thermostats serviced now, before the coldest temperatures of the season roll in. That way, families won’t be on the hook for an emergency repair if their thermostat breaks in the middle of a cold front. A tune-up will also help heating systems run more efficiently, he said.
Always close the furnace flue, or else it will lead heat outside the house, advises Wolfe. Lastly, manually turn down the heat at night, if you can, to save up to 10% on your energy bill.
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There’s still time to become a mega-millionaire for Christmas, but lady luck will have to be on your side.
No one matched Mega Millions‘ all six winning numbers last Tuesday, and the jackpot now stands at $862 million ahead of Friday night’s drawing.
The jackpot has been rolling since it was last won at $810 million in Texas on Sept. 10.
If there is a sole winner, they have a choice between an annuity, with an initial payment and then 29 annual payments, or a one-time lump sum payment. Most winners choose a cash payout.
For Friday night’s drawing, that would be an estimated $392.1 million before taxes.
If won at that level, it would be the largest prize ever won in December and the seventh largest in Mega Millions history.
According to Mega Millions, 13 jackpots have been won during December since the game began in 2002. Three were won in the days after Christmas, while the other 10 were won before Christmas. There has never been a jackpot win on Christmas Day, although over the years drawings have been conducted on Christmas six times – in 2007, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2020.
Mega Millions drawings are held on Tuesday and Friday, tickets cost $2. The odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 303 million.
