At Least 19 People Contract Fungal Infection After California Music Festival

“New research shows that cases of valley fever, which in rare cases can be fatal, have risen dramatically in recent years”

“At least 19 people contracted valley fever, a fungal infection that in rare cases can be fatal, after attending an outdoor music festival in southern California in May, public health officials have reported.

The number of illnesses associated with the five-day Lightning in a Bottle event has almost quadrupled over the last month. Valley fever is caused by inhaling Coccidioides, a fungus endemic to the soil of the US south-west. New research shows that cases of the illness have risen dramatically in recent years.

It typically presents as a mild respiratory illness – most people will not become ill after an exposure – but a small subset of those infected can develop serious, debilitating or long-term problems.

More than 20,000 people attended Lightning in a Bottle, an electronic dance music festival, in Kern county between 22 and 27 May, according to the California department of public health. Nineteen people have confirmed diagnoses of the illness through a voluntary survey, including eight who were hospitalized, the CDPH said in a statement last month.”

Dani Anguiano reports for the Guardian September 5, 2024.