... And scientists don't fully understand why. Coccidioides is one of them — and it lives in desert dust. Microscopic spores are kicked up when the ground is disturbed; if inhaled, they can cause an infection known as Valley fever. Most people recover without ever knowing they had it, but others will experience far more intense symptoms, ranging from pneumonia to meningitis. Fortunately, this fungus is typically only found in the southwestern US, parts of Mexico, and Central and South America — and cases are rare.

Source: Forbes June 24, 2023 06:34 UTC