writeaboutwarming

May 6, 2013 – From the Little Known Facts File: a disease called Valley Fever.   Until quite recently it was endemic in the arid farm regions of California and Arizona, but nowhere else in the United States.   Now, because of ongoing drought in other areas of the country, awareness of this disease needs to increase.   For while half of those exposed to the fungus spores that carry the disease show no symptoms, the numbers of those who die – yes, die! – is on the upswing each year.   One of the reasons is the lack of familiarity with this malady on the part of doctors.   Another reason is climate change. Other areas of the world that already know about Valley Fever (VF) include Mexico, Central, and South America.    Once soil has become so dry it has the consistency of dust, it is easily transported by the wind.   Human and animal activities increase its transportability.     VF can be contracted simply by breathing in the fungus spo...