California’s Dust-Borne Crisis: Valley Fever Surges in Kern County and Beyond

Published May 2, 2025 | By JB Quinnon

Valley Fever is making an alarming comeback across California, with health officials warning the state is on track to break infection records for the second consecutive year. As of the first quarter, over 3,000 cases of the respiratory fungal disease have been reported—nearly double the 10-year average.

Kern County, already considered ground zero for Valley Fever, is experiencing a 25% rise in cases, leading the state with more than 900 infections. Fresno County has also seen a sharp uptick, with reported cases doubling to 277. However, health experts caution these numbers may underestimate the true scale, as symptoms often mimic COVID-19 and the flu.

The culprit: a soil-dwelling fungus called Coccidioides. It thrives in California’s fluctuating climate—blooming after wet seasons and lying dormant during dry periods. When the soil is disturbed, especially in areas like the San Joaquin Valley, spores can become airborne and lodge in the lungs of unsuspecting victims.

Rob Purdie, a Valley Fever patient and founder of the nonprofit MYCARE (Mycology Advocacy Research and Education), warns that the influx of new residents and festivalgoers unfamiliar with the region’s risks is contributing to rising case counts. He likens the situation to an invisible threat hiding in plain sight: “We’re either in a drought or we’re drowning in Central California now, and that weather pattern is very helpful to the valley fever spores.”

Last year’s Lightning in a Bottle music festival in Kern County became a hotspot for infections, with at least 19 reported cases. Organizers say they’re taking more precautions this Memorial Day weekend, including wetting the ground to minimize dust spread.

Although most infected individuals recover without serious issues, up to 10% may experience severe complications. If the fungus spreads to the brain, it can cause life-threatening meningitis. Pediatric cases and underserved populations face even more barriers, with patients waiting months to see infectious disease specialists.

There are signs of hope. Awareness has surged, partially thanks to pop culture hits like The Last of Us, which features a fictionalized version of a fungal epidemic. Legislators like Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains and Senator Melissa Hurtado have introduced bills aimed at increasing state support for Valley Fever research. Promising vaccine candidates are also in development.

Still, advocates worry that national funding could be on the chopping block. As the Trump administration proposes broad cuts to the NIH, activists are lobbying across party lines to protect Valley Fever research from being defunded.

“We’re making progress,” Purdie said. “But this is a public health crisis that deserves more urgency—both locally and nationally.”