Health officials see greater Valley fever risk following wet winter, dry summer conditions

Californians this summer and fall may face an increased risk of Valley fever, a fungal infection that can cause respiratory symptoms like coughing and fatigue, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The CDPH points to dry conditions and heavy winter rains as factors for the risk increase. A recent study from University of California, Berkeley and the CDPH found that the fungus that causes Valley fever can become less active during drought, and more active when rain returns.