Valley Fever Surges in Clark County Amid Dust, Construction

LAS VEGAS — The Southern Nevada Health District issued a public health advisory on Sept. 8, 2025, warning of rising coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever, cases in Clark County. The airborne fungal infection, caused by Coccidioides spores in desert soil, saw incidence rates climb nearly fourfold from 3.1 cases per 100,000 in 2014 to 11.8 per 100,000 in 2024. Infections peak during autumn months from September to November, driven by soil-disturbing activities like construction and recent dust storms in the Las Vegas Valley.

Public health experts link the surge to environmental factors, including dry, windy conditions that loft spores into the air. Adults over 60 experience disproportionately higher rates of infection, hospitalization and death. Mortality disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic populations in Clark County, while those with weakened immune systems, diabetes, third-trimester pregnancies or recent COVID-19 infections face severe illness risks. The advisory urges healthcare providers to test for Valley fever in patients with prolonged pneumonia or antibiotic-resistant community-acquired symptoms, or signs of erythema nodosum.

Valley fever symptoms — fever, cough, chest pain, fatigue and shortness of breath — appear one to three weeks after inhaling spores, often resembling flu or COVID-19. Most cases resolve without treatment, but severe infections can lead to hospitalization, chronic issues or death. The Southern Nevada Health District recommends avoiding dusty areas, wearing N95 masks during outdoor work and consulting providers for persistent respiratory issues. For reporting or questions, contact SNHD at (702) 759-1300.