Valley Fever Cases Expected to Rise in San Joaquin Valley Amid Summer Agriculture
Valley Fever Cases Expected to Rise in San Joaquin Valley Amid Summer Agriculture
US · Published May 19, 2026
The Fresno County Department of Public Health has issued guidelines to mitigate exposure to Valley Fever, a respiratory illness caused by inhaling spores of the Coccidioides fungus.
This fungus thrives in the soil of the San Joaquin Valley and other parts of California and the southwestern U.S.
Activities such as agricultural work, digging, and high winds can disturb the soil, releasing microscopic spores into the air.

Why It's Important?

Valley Fever poses a significant health risk to individuals living in endemic regions, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley. Those who work outdoors, such as agricultural and construction workers, are at heightened risk due to frequent exposure to disturbed soil. The illness can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, and fatigue, and in severe cases, it may lead to long-term respiratory complications. Animals are also susceptible to the disease. The risk is exacerbated during windy days and periods of increased agricultural activity, which stir up the soil and release fungal spores into the air.

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