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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.
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A picture is emerging of the suspect who officials say pointed a high-powered rifle at former president Donald Trump on a Florida golf course Sunday afternoon.
Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was armed with an AK-47-style rifle and was 300-500 yards away from Trump when members of the former president’s Secret Service detail spotted him, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. Routh was a few holes ahead of where the president was golfing at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, officials said.
Members of the Secret Service detail opened fire at Routh, according to law enforcement officials. It’s not clear if Routh fired any shots. Bradshaw said a witness saw a man jumping out of the bushes and fleeing in a black Nissan. The car was pulled over and the driver detained and identified as the suspect. Law enforcement found the rifle, a scope, two backpacks with ceramic tile and a GoPro camera in the bushes at the scene.
The FBI and U.S. Secret Service are investigating the incident, which the FBI said “appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump.”
As the investigation continues, here’s what we know about Routh:
Stephany Matat / AP
A decades-long criminal history
Routh’s most recent address is listed in Hawaii, but he spent most of his life in North Carolina, according to property records. Routh owned Camp Box Honolulu, a shed-building company, according to his LinkedIn profile. The account also says that he studied at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and graduated in 1998.
Records show his problems with the law go back to the 1990s and include less serious charges, like writing bad checks. But in 2002, he was charged with a felony — possession of a weapon of mass destruction — according to North Carolina Department of Corrections records.
Between 2002 and 2010, Routh was also charged with a number of misdemeanors, including a hit-and-run accident, resisting arrest and a concealed weapons violation, records show.
Suspect criticized Trump online
Routh voted Democratic in the 2024 primary election in North Carolina, and he voted in person, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. He appears to be registered as an unaffiliated voter.
His X account, which has now been suspended, included a number of posts about Trump.
“@realDonaldTrump While you were my choice in 2106, I and the world hoped that president Trump would be different and better than the candidate, but we all were greatly disappointment and it seems you are getting worse and devolving,” he wrote in a June 2020 post. “I will be glad when you gone.”
He also referenced the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump in multiple posts, suggesting that President Biden and Vice President Harris should visit the injured and attend the funeral of the Pennsylvania rally-goer who was killed.
A Facebook account under Routh’s name was no longer online on Sunday evening.
Ukraine supporter
Routh was passionate about fighting for Ukraine, even traveling overseas to fight in the country’s war against Russia in 2022.
“I am coming to Ukraine from Hawaii to fight for your kids and families and democracy.. I will come and die for you,” he wrote on X.
In one post on LinkedIn, he shared a photo of himself in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
A CBS News review of Routh’s social media shows his pro-Ukraine views seeped into his public statements as well. He urged people, even those who didn’t have military skills, to take up arms for Ukraine. He was interviewed by several news organizations, including The New York Times and Semafor in 2023, and Newsweek Romania in 2022. He was quoted about his efforts to recruit volunteer fighters to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion, though it wasn’t clear whether he had succeeded.
“This is about good versus evil,” he told Newsweek Romania.
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