A life-threatening fungal illness is rapidly spreading throughout central California, health officials say.
The number of Valley Fever cases rose eight percent in 2018 from the previous year – up to more than 8,100 from more than 7,500, according to a report released by the California Department of Public Health last week.
The increase from 2016, when cases totaled around 5,700, was even more shocking – an sharp spike of 42 percent.