Valley fever cases rise in Monterey County
A sharp rise in valley fever cases in the county of Monterey.
Health officials say the spike is connected to dust, drought, and changing weather patterns.
Valley fever is on the rise again in Monterey County, and health officials say this year is tracking a lot like last year… which was a record breaker.
Sot
We've had about 275 cases of valley fever this year. That's about what where we were this time last year. Last year, we had a total of 358 cases for the entire year," said
Experts say it’s part of a pattern they’ve seen before
Health officials say if you are working with dirt make sure to cover your nose and mouth and if a cough lingers more than two weeks call your doctor
Sot
“not, unanticipated that we would have a high year this year sometimes, when we have a drought followed by a wet winter that those two winters can have higher”
So what exactly is valley fever, and how do you even catch it?
Sot
Valley fever is caused by a fungus as the spore. The spores live in the soil, and they multiply in the soil. When the soil is disturbed by either digging in the soil or from wind. The spores can blow through the air,
Butt to
Then the spores are inhaled into the lungs, and where they, they spread and can cause illness.
The people most at risk?
Sot
Folks that work in, construction, agriculture, fire, wildland firefighters, archeologists, those sorts of occupations where you're spending a lot of time digging in, disturbing the soil.
Butt too
Sot
/farm worker
It is concerning because it's spreading
Sot
/farm worker
Letting them know that it's okay to stay home if they're feeling sick. That way they can avoid passing it on to somebody else.
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Sot
/farm worker
They work not too close to each other if there's if they're not feeling well, but also wear a mask if needed.
Sot
Folks who have diabetes, cancer, hiv infections. Or are taking medications that suppress their immune system. Also, pregnant women can can, be at high risk for having severe coxsackie disease.
