Dust Storms, Valley Fever, and Public Awareness. (6th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tong, Daniel Q.; Gorris, Morgan E.; Gill, Thomas E.; Ardon‐Dryer, Karin; Wang, Julian; Ren, Ling
• Is Part Of: GeoHealth. Volume 6:Number 8(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-08-06
• Subjects: dust -- Valley fever -- coccidioidomycosis -- environmental; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.98
• DOI: 10.1029/2022GH000642
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2471-1403

Abstract

Abstract: We discuss several issues raised by Comrie (2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GH000504 ), which uses a crowdsourced data set to study dust storms and coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever). There is inconsistency in the term "dust storm" used by science communities. The dust data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Storm Events Database are from diverse sources, unsuitable for assessing dust‐coccidioidomycosis relationships. Population exposure to dust or Coccidioides needs to consider the frequency, magnitude, and duration of dust events. Given abundant evidence that dust storms are a viable driver to transport pathogens, it is in best public interest to advocate dust storms may put people at risk for contracting Valley fever. Plain Language Summary: Valley fever is an infectious disease caused by inhaling soil‐dwelling fungi living in the Americas, with the highest infection rate in the same regions frequented by dust storms. We discuss a few issues on the relationship between dust storms and Valley fever raised by a new study Comrie (2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GH000504 ): (a) What is a dust storm? (b) Is it proper to use the Storm Events Database for long‐term dust trend analysis? (c) How to represent population exposure to dust and fungi, and (d) How to communicate the risk associated with dust storms to the public. Key Points: Contradicting common perception, the Storm Events Data are from diverse sources and unsuitable for assessing dust‐Valley fever relationships There is inconsistency in the term "dust storm" used by science communities, and frequency, magnitude, and duration of dust storms matter It is in best public interest to advocate the public message that dust storms may put people at risk for contracting Valley fever