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California could face another record-breaking year of Valley fever

NBC News
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Early data shows California on track for another record-breaking year for Valley fever.

The fungal infection is caused by inhaling coccidioidomycosis, a type of fungi endemic to the hot, dry climate of the Southwest .

Climate change is creating drier soils that are inching farther east, expanding the range of the fungi.

The climate patterns expanding Valley fever’s range in California are the same ones that drive increasingly intense wildfires.

Scientists are still trying to understand how fires may worsen Valley fever risk.

Last year , at least 19 people who attended the Lightning in a Bottle music festival were diagnosed with Valley fever.

Symptoms typically show up one to three weeks after exposure, but it can take as long as eight weeks .