The CDPH is investigating whether Valley fever has become more prevalent in Kern County, where Lightning in a Bottle takes place.
Most who attended Lightning in a Bottle (LiB) 2024 reported the sort of glowing testimonials that made the six-day Buena Vista Lake gathering a world-class festival. At least five were sidelined by Valley fever in the days that followed, however.
Valley fever is a potentially fatal infection caused by exposure to the fungus Coccidioides releasing spores into the air. Occurrences have spiked in the past two years, prompting the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to investigate whether more of the roughly 20,000 LiB attendees fell ill from it.
“Overall, cases of Valley fever in California have increased substantially over the last two years, so CDPH is asking attendees of this festival to complete a voluntary survey, even if they don’t have any symptoms,” reads part of a CPDH statement.
Cases of Valley fever have been particularly numerous in 2023 and 2024, and the condition is most prevalent in California’s San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast areas. SFist reports that 5,400 cases have been confirmed in the state this year.
“The California health department has recently made us aware that they are expecting 7,000-9,000 cases of Valley fever across the state this year, with 5,400 already confirmed, signaling a large increase in 2024 cases due to wet weather,” reads a statement sent to EDM Identity from Lightning in a Bottle.
“This week they reported that 5 cases may have been linked to this year’s event as part of their California’s Valley fever Awareness Month campaign. We prioritize the health and safety of all our patrons and are in communication with the California Department of Public Health and Kern County Public Health Department to learn more about Valley fever and any preventative measures we can take to reduce Valley fever risk for future festival events, and to make information available to this year’s attendees.”
In most people, Valley fever causes respiratory issues like coughing and difficulty breathing as well as fever, tiredness, or fatigue. In rare cases, it can also cause serious disease by spreading to other parts of the body, killing one in 100 of those who suffer from it. Valley fever is not contagious.
One LiB 2024 attendee did pass away, but not due to Valley fever. Las Vegas artist and entertainer Stevie Mac swam out into the lake and then went under, and medics were unable to resuscitate him.
Find more information about the CDPH’s Valley fever investigation on their website, and take the survey if you attended Lightning in a Bottle and think you may have contracted Valley fever.
