Valley Fever, a deadly fungal infection, has seen a dramatic rise in El Paso, Texas, with cases more than tripling between 2013 and 2022, according to new research. The increase is attributed to the region's frequent and intense dust storms, which are exacerbated by human-caused climate change.
Rising Cases and Causes
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso, found that cases rose from under 10 to dozens annually. The fungus Coccidioides, which lives in soil, becomes airborne during dust storms, leading to serious lung infections and meningitis. Climate change fuels extreme weather, including storms and drought, creating ideal conditions for the fungus to spread.
Thomas Gill, a professor at the university, emphasized the need for understanding climate-disease connections: "It's essential for building resilient communities in regions like ours."
Predictive Factors Identified
The highest case numbers occurred in summer, particularly July and August, with triple-digit temperatures. Key predictive factors included temperatures exceeding 102°F in the month before a dust storm, peak wind gusts above 64 mph several months earlier, and high concentrations of dust particles smaller than 10 micrometers. These signals can help health officials prepare and warn residents.
Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia, associate professor of public health sciences, noted: "By recognizing the conditions that precede increases in cases, health officials and clinicians can be better prepared to detect, diagnose and respond to this disease."
The Science Behind Dust Storms
Warmer air enhances storm formation through convection, while drought dries soil and kills vegetation, increasing dust. Strong winds from thunderstorms create walls of dust miles long and thousands of feet high. El Paso's location in the Chihuahuan Desert, with flat valleys and dry terrain, allows winds to build momentum, picking up more dust and fungus spores.
Gill added: "Extreme wind and dust events may disturb soils in ways that release larger amounts of the fungus into the air." The findings underscore the urgency of addressing climate change to mitigate future health risks.
