Valley fever cases are on the rise in California — What to know about this deadly fungus

IT’S SHAPING UP to be a bad year — possibly the worst yet — when it comes to Valley fever, a fungal disease marked by cough and fevers. More than 5,300 cases have been reported in California through June, that’s 63% more infections than the same period last year. 

Valley fever is caused when people inhale microscopic spores of a fungus found in soil. This fungus typically affects the lungs. Many cases are mild and resolve on their own, but the infections, which are not contagious, can become serious enough to require hospitalization. About 80 Californians die every year from it. Moderate cases may last months and require antifungal medication.