National Weather Service shared information about Valley Fever on Wednesday morning in response to blowing dust in the Las Vegas valley.
Valley Fever is a lung infection that can be serious. It is caused by a fungus named Coccidioides that lives in the soil and when the soil ends up in the air because of high winds, humans can be exposed to it.
Symptoms include cough, fever, headache, muscle aches, rash and fatigue.
The Centers for Disease Control suggests everyone to stay indoors as much as possible when it is extremely windy, close all windows and recirculate air in cars.
About 10,000 cases are reported each year, mostly in Arizona and California. In 2017, there were 279 cases reported in Nevada, New Mexico and Utah and 275 in other states. There are approximately 200 deaths per year attributed to Valley Fever.
The CDC says that the number of reported cases is probably much less than the actual number because it can be easily misdiagnosed and patients are not tested for Valley Fever.
Most people who get Valley Fever will get better on their own within weeks to months.
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Just a reminder - desert dust isn't just inconvenient, it can make you sick! Try to stay indoors, close windows, and recirculate air in cars! #NVwx #CAwx https://t.co/MgP8iiJ4MV
— NWS Las Vegas (@NWSVegas) April 9, 2019
Clarification: The National Weather Service did NOT issue an official warning. They simply shared information about Valley Fever in response to high winds in Las Vegas.
