Fungal outbreak at music festival

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is investigating a cluster of Valley Fever cases linked to the Lightning in a Bottle music festival held from May 21-25 at Buena Vista Lake, which attracted over 20,000 attendees. So far, five cases have been confirmed, with three requiring hospitalization, and officials warn that additional cases may emerge among festivalgoers. Valley Fever, caused by the Coccidioides fungus present in the soil, can lead to serious respiratory issues and has a mortality rate of 1 in 100 for those infected. Symptoms may take weeks to appear, prompting health officials to encourage anyone with respiratory issues to seek medical attention. The CDPH noted a significant increase in Valley Fever cases in California over the past two years, correlating with environmental changes. Some attendees have recounted severe personal experiences with the illness on social media, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.