A decade-long study shows a significant rise in respiratory infections caused by fungal spores released during intense wind and heat events in El Paso Texas.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Tripled Incidence Rates: Researchers found that Valley fever cases in El Paso more than tripled between 2013 and 2022, driven by intense and episodic environmental events.
- Specific Weather Triggers: High disease incidence is associated with temperatures exceeding 102 degrees Fahrenheit, peak wind gusts over 64 miles per hour, and high concentrations of dust particles.
- Diagnostic Challenges: Because symptoms mimic influenza and pneumonia, Valley fever is frequently underdiagnosed, which can delay necessary treatment for serious respiratory illness.
Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) identified a significant increase in Valley fever cases in El Paso over the past decade, linking the trend to extreme weather and airborne dust, according to a study published in the International Journal of Biometeorology.
The study analyzed reported cases of coccidioidomycosis, commonly known as Valley fever, from 2013 to 2022. Researchers found that incidence rates more than tripled during that period. Valley fever is caused by inhaling spores of a soil-dwelling fungus that become airborne under specific environmental conditions. While often mild, the disease can lead to serious respiratory illness, long-term complications, and death.
“These results suggest that it’s not just typical dusty conditions driving infections, but more intense and episodic environmental events,” said Thomas Gill, professor in the UTEP department of earth, environmental and resource sciences, in a news release. “Extreme wind and dust events may disturb soils in ways that release larger amounts of the fungus into the air.”
The research team used statistical modeling to examine how weather patterns and air quality influence disease trends. The findings showed that higher disease incidence was associated with temperatures exceeding 102 degrees Fahrenheit in the prior month, peak wind gusts above 64 miles per hour several months earlier, and unusually high concentrations of dust particles 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller.
Although Valley fever is not contagious and is a reportable condition in El Paso County, researchers cautioned that the disease is likely underdiagnosed. Many cases present with symptoms similar to other illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which can delay proper diagnosis and treatment.
“Our work shows that Valley fever risk can be anticipated based on environmental signals,” said Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia, associate professor of public health sciences, in a news release. “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 study also identified seasonal patterns, with the highest number of reported cases occurring in July and August. El Paso’s location in the Chihuahuan Desert, combined with frequent dust activity and increasing development, may further contribute to rising exposure risks. Land disturbance from construction and urban expansion could also play a role in releasing fungal spores into the air.
“This research underscores the environmental factors in our region that contribute to breathing in Coccidioides fungus spores,” said C Scott Kruse, dean of the UTEP college of health sciences, in a news release. “This includes air quality and climate-related risks that significantly impact public health, particularly in vulnerable communities.”
The findings highlight the need for increased awareness among both the public and healthcare providers, especially during periods following extreme weather events. Narges Khanjani, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the Paul L Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech Health El Paso, served as the co-lead author of the study.
