A sharp rise in Valley fever cases has hit California in 2024, with over 12,600 people infected—the highest number ever recorded in the state. One of the most striking cases is that of Brynn Carrigan, a 41-year-old health official from Bakersfield, who went from training for a marathon to being completely bedridden due to a severe infection that spread to her brain.

Carrigan began experiencing persistent headaches in April 2024. Within weeks, her symptoms escalated to debilitating pain and vomiting. Light became unbearable, even the glow of her microwave clock caused discomfort. Doctors struggled to find a diagnosis—until a third hospital visit led to a key question: Had she experienced any respiratory issues before the headaches?

The answer was yes. About a month earlier, Carrigan had a lingering cough and cold, followed by a rash on her thighs. After lab testing, she was diagnosed with coccidioidal meningitis—a rare and dangerous form of meningitis caused by the fungus behind Valley fever.

🌵 What Is Valley Fever?

Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is caused by inhaling fungal spores (Coccidioides) found in dry, dusty soil—primarily in the southwestern United States. As climate change dries out more land and expands arid regions eastward, these fungi are spreading beyond their traditional zones.

📈 Why Cases Are Increasing

Historically, California reported between 1,500 to 5,500 cases annually from 2000 to 2016. That number steadily climbed to between 7,700 and 9,000 cases per year from 2017 to 2023. Now, in 2024, it’s skyrocketed to 12,600 reported cases—over 3,000 more than last year.

This surge puts California close to surpassing Arizona, historically the state with the highest Valley fever rates.

🌎 The Climate Connection

Experts believe climate change is a key driver of this spike. As the Western U.S. becomes hotter and drier, the conditions become more favorable for the fungus to thrive and spread. This means Valley fever may soon appear in places previously unaffected.

⚠️ What to Watch For

Valley fever symptoms often resemble those of a cold or flu:

• Persistent cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Rash
• Headaches (in severe cases, indicating potential spread to the brain)

If symptoms linger or worsen, especially after spending time in dry, dusty environments, seek medical attention.

As Valley fever expands its reach, awareness and early diagnosis are more important than ever. California’s health system is now on high alert, and residents are urged to take precautions—especially when working or spending time outdoors in dry regions.

United States: A concerning case of tuberculosis has been formally acknowledged by Multnomah County health overseers, pinpointed within the halls of Lane Middle School in Southeast Portland. 

Authorities disclosed that an individual, whose identity and student status remain undisclosed, may have harbored and potentially transmitted the infection for nearly eight months, from September 3, 2024, through May 1, 2025. Informed by public health protocols, the county’s communicable disease team has already issued notifications to all individuals who may have encountered the affected person during that span, using electronic mail as the main conduit. 

Despite the long timeline, county health stewards emphasize that tuberculosis doesn’t spread easily. The ailment necessitates prolonged, recurrent proximity—often face-to-face interactions over weeks or even months—to pass from one person to another. Still, untreated cases can evolve into serious conditions, underscoring the importance of swift medical intervention. Officials reiterated that modern medicinal regimens are typically effective in halting the illness. 

At this juncture, health authorities affirm that the wider community faces minimal danger. No additional related infections have surfaced, according to Oregonlive.com.  

“Thankfully, fleeting interactions with someone bearing tuberculosis seldom result in infection,” stated Dr. Richard Bruno, Multnomah County’s chief health officer. “And for those who do contract it, many won’t ever develop symptoms or illness, especially with today’s therapeutic treatments.” 

Dr. Bruno noted that tuberculosis tends to develop quietly and slowly, which often delays diagnosis. Officials are still investigating how the individual contracted the bacteria in the first place. 

Presently, fewer than five active tuberculosis cases are being tracked throughout the county. These are being closely surveilled by the health department. 

In the prior year, the Oregon Health Authority recorded 87 confirmed tuberculosis cases across the state, marking the second yearly rise in a row. On average, Multnomah County manages about 30 tuberculosis cases annually. 

Tuberculosis, a bacterial affliction most commonly targeting the lungs, once ranked among the deadliest ailments in the US, according to historical health records. 

Symptoms of active tuberculosis can manifest as a persistent cough, thoracic pain, or the expectoration of blood-tinged mucus. A substantial number of individuals, however, may carry the bacterium in a dormant (latent) state, posing no contagious threat unless the condition escalates due to a lack of treatment, as per oregonlive.com. 

Concerned families and staff affiliated with the school are advised to connect with the county’s Tuberculosis Clinic at 503-988-4306. Officials confirmed that complimentary blood testing will be offered to the school community in the coming weeks. 

United States: In a startling revelation, Dr. Evan Levine, a distinguished heart specialist from Mount Sinai, New York, has spotlighted a quiet menace veiled within common medicinal capsules—phthalates, chemical agents typically deployed to render plastics more elastic and enduring. 

Often dubbed plasticizers, these synthetic compounds are engineered to soften rigid materials, enabling them to flex, bend, and weather diverse conditions without fracturing. However, their infiltration into pharmaceuticals—especially soft gel capsules—has ignited serious concern. 

Once absorbed into the human system, phthalates have been shown to provoke arterial irritation and inflammatory cascades, constricting the smooth circulation of blood and increasing cardiovascular strain. Dr Levine, speaking to the Daily Mail, sounded the alarm: “Phthalates [can] intensify inflammation, acting as silent saboteurs in the development of heart disease,” according to the Daily Mail.  

These pliable capsules, where medicinal content is suspended within a gelatinous shell, are omnipresent in over-the-counter remedies, ranging from pain suppressants and multivitamins to laxatives and cold treatments. Despite their ubiquity, Dr. Levine cautions against casual, long-term consumption. 

Top doctor reveals hidden toxin in pills taken by millions daily linked to sudden heart attacks https://t.co/a87F2Vpgkr

— Daily Mail US (@Daily_MailUS) May 15, 2025

The ubiquity of these capsules belies the potential danger: the US soft gel market itself was worth a staggering $2.14 billion in 2022. Yet, few are aware of what these slick, swallowable pills may contain. 

A pivotal 2021 study published in Environmental Pollution connected phthalate exposure with an increased likelihood of succumbing to cardiovascular disorders. Researchers studied over 5,300 individuals aged 55–64, tracking urinary phthalate levels over nearly a decade. Their findings painted a grim picture: among those who passed away, heightened levels of these compounds correlated closely with heart-related fatalities. 

According to Dr. Levine, when phthalates permeate the body, particularly through pill ingestion, they ignite swelling within arterial linings. This not only hinders blood flow but sets the stage for serious complications like arterial narrowing, plaque accretion, and even aneurysms—those perilous bulges in weakened vessel walls. 

Traditionally, arterial blockages stem from cholesterol buildup, but phthalates seem to amplify the damage by spurring oxidative stress, a process where cellular equilibrium is upset, causing tissue degradation and inflammation. Such disturbances impair the heart’s cellular machinery, dulling its efficiency and rendering the organ vulnerable to attack, as per the Daily Mail.  

Moreover, phthalates may skew cholesterol profiles unfavorably, raising triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the infamous “bad” cholesterol. This biochemical imbalance amplifies susceptibility to strokes and myocardial infarctions. 

As this unseen threat continues to seep into millions of medicine cabinets, experts like Dr. Levine urge a conscientious shift in how we view even the most mundane medications. Beneath their smooth exterior may lie an agent not of healing, but harm.