A fungus in Utah soil can lead to lung infections — but officials say there is ‘no reason to panic’

ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — If you have been suffering from pneumonia-like symptoms lately (but you don’t have pneumonia), you may have ingested

fungal spores that went airborne after dirt around you was disturbed. Health officials say it’s more common than you may think, especially in southern Utah.

“Washington County has the highest rate of Valley fever in the state,” Dr. Katharine S. Walter told ABC4.com. “And we think it is severely underreported compared to parts of California and Arizona, which are very well known to be endemic for the fungus.”

Valley fever, or Coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal lung infection that can cause symptoms like fatigue, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and a rash. It occurs after spores from Coccidioides — which live in soil and dust in parts of the United States — are breathed in.

Dr. Walter and Dr. Ginamarie Foglia — both epidemiologists — presented during a lecture series in southern Utah about the effects of Valley fever and concerns related to the changing environment. The aim of the event was to spread awareness of the prevalence of Valley fever, not to spread fear.

“There’s no reason to panic,” Foglia told ABC4.com. “It’s manageable. It’s just that many people don’t know what it is.”

Foglia said that while Utahns should not panic about the potential for these types of infections, it is important to know what the risks and symptoms are. An understanding of the symptoms could help people better manage the infection.

“Many times it’s seen as a bacterial infection, and people are given antibiotics, they don’t get better,” Foglia said. “So, it’s really to alert people and to make them aware that it exists here.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says many people who have Valley fever experience mild symptoms, and “often get better without medication within a few months.” In some cases, severe infections may spread to other parts of the body, and cause patients to need more long-term treatment.

What is Valley fever?

“This is a disease we should all be worried about because everyone is at risk, and the people at most risk are the people who work outside, who are constantly exposed to dust and soil, like agricultural workers — construction workers,” Walter said.

Valley fever occurs after spores from Coccidioides — which live in soil and dust in parts of the United States — are breathed in. When that soil or dust is disturbed (such as during construction or a windstorm), the risk of breathing in those spores increases.

The CDC reports that many people do not get sick from breathing in the spores, and most people who do fall ill get better on their own. However, some groups of people are at higher risk for developing severe forms of Valley fever.

If symptoms of Valley fever last longer than a week, officials recommend visiting a healthcare provider.

Where is Valley fever most common?

Valley fever is most often seen in the southwestern U.S., according to the CDC. Between 10,000 and 20,000 cases are reported to the CDC each year, with most cases reported in Arizona and California.

“Cases frequently are never diagnosed or misdiagnosed because many patients are not tested for Valley fever,” the CDC says.

Foglia and Walter said many people often receive a delayed Valley fever diagnosis after initially being diagnosed with a bacterial infection. Walter also spoke about the potential role played by climate change in expanding the areas where the fungus can be found.

“We think that with a changing climate, that the area where the fungus can thrive and survive is likely to expand and change, and that’s one thing we really need to study,” Walter said.

How do I prevent Valley fever?

The CDC says it is “very difficult to avoid breathing in the fungus” — but there are still ways to help reduce exposure.

For example, the CDC recommends using air filtration methods when indoors and avoiding areas (like construction sites) that have a lot of dust. Wearing an N95 respirator when around dust may also help, the CDC says.

For more detailed explanations about Valley fever and prevention methods, visit the CDC’s website.

Joseph Degolyer contributed to this report.