Valley fever cases rise in Borderland due to heat, wind, and pollution
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Health officials say Valley fever is an underrecognized public health issue in the Borderland, particularly for vulnerable residents.
Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso recently found Valley fever cases in El Paso County more than tripled between 2013 and 2022, with higher case numbers linked to periods of extreme heat, wind, dust and poor air quality.
“From the public health perspective, this is very important because coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, affects very vulnerable people,” El Paso health authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza said.
Ocaranza said those at highest risk include older adults, people with weakened immune systems, residents with uncontrolled chronic illnesses and patients taking immunosuppressive medications.
Valley fever is caused by inhaling spores from a fungus that lives in desert soil. When dirt is disturbed by wind, dust storms, construction or other activity, the spores can become airborne and be inhaled.
El Paso County has tracked Valley fever as a reportable condition since 2013 and remains the only county in Texas to report cases, according to officials.
Ocaranza said the county added the disease to its notifiable conditions list because of the region’s desert climate and unique environmental risk factors.
While some infections clear without symptoms, officials say more severe cases can require lengthy antifungal treatment and, in rare instances, spread beyond the lungs if left untreated.
“Even though it is rare, this condition may spread and cause infection in other parts of the body,” Ocaranza said.
Gabriel Ibarra Mejia, associate professor in UTEP’s Department of Public Health Sciences and one of the study’s lead researchers, said Valley fever often mimics other respiratory illnesses, which can delay diagnosis.
“The symptoms are very common to any other type of respiratory illness,” Ibarra Mejia said. “It can start mimicking something like the flu, sometimes probably COVID, but it can go all the way to develop pneumonia.”
Researchers and public health officials said one of their main goals is increasing awareness among healthcare providers so the disease is considered when evaluating patients with persistent respiratory symptoms.
Ocaranza said residents can reduce their risk by limiting outdoor activity during dusty or windy conditions, wearing masks when appropriate and consulting healthcare providers if they are in a high risk group.
Public health data posted by the city show a notable spike in Valley fever cases during 2021 and 2022, though cases declined somewhat in 2023 and 2024.
Officials said they will continue monitoring trends, especially after recent years marked by significant dust storm activity.
