"Valley Fever - a sometimes-fatal infection with no known cure and no
vaccine - is caused by a soilborne fungus that thrives in the hot, dry soils of
the southwestern U.S., Mexico and Central and South America. However, recent
reports of infections far outside the endemic area indicate the fungus is
either spreading or becoming active in new areas. The disease is contracted
through inhalation of fungal spores, which can be aerosolized by soil
disturbances from construction, excavation, gardening and landscaping, as well
as natural events like dust storms, earthquakes, landslides and wildfires. Geoscientists working in the field need to take
precautions against contracting the disease.
Scientists say that little is currently known about the
fungus' preferred geology and how a changing climate might be affecting its
spread. Read more about where the disease has been found, current research on
the disease and how to protect yourself in the field in the September issue of
EARTH Magazine"
Geoscientists
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