Warning as deadly ‘fungal storms’ sweep America with toxic dust carrying disease

Giant storms filled with potentially deadly fungal spores are set to sweep across at least 11 US states this summer, with the worst conditions still weeks away.

Meteorologists and health experts have warned that dust storms in the Southwest will stir up dangerous fungal spores from the soil through September, potentially exposing millions to Valley fever.

This common illness is a lung infection caused by breathing in microscopic fungus particles called Coccidioides that live in dry soil frequently blown around by strong desert winds.

The spores turn into growing fungal cells that the immune system typically fights off, causing mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and headaches in most patients, but severe infections can spread to the organs and bones and become fatal.

Illnesses could soon skyrocket as the Southwest, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas enters the North American monsoon season – known for major thunderstorms and strong winds throughout the region.

These winds kick up huge walls of dust, also known as haboobs, from the dry ground right when the soil is at its driest. The combination of extreme heat and drought plus monsoon winds creates more frequent and intense dust storms carrying spores.

Valley fever cases tend to start peaking in October, a few weeks or months after the dust storms, because it takes time for the fungus to grow after people inhale the spores.

Forecasters have already issued air quality alerts this week as massive domes of high pressure trap smoke, haze and dust closer to the ground for people to breathe in.