Tag Archives: Arizona

The Fungus in the Dust That Can Reach Your Brain

Two hikers on a rocky trail overlooking forested canyons and distant mountains

A fungus hiding in Western dirt is sickening Americans at record pace, various publications reported in the past few months. A 2026 CDC study found that, in Arizona’s cooler northern plateaus, infections now run 6.6 times higher than in 2005–2007. In a study published in June 2025, available in the PubMed database, “a nationwide* total of 273,000 incident symptomatic coccidioidomycosis cases were estimated in 2019.” California recorded nearly 12,500 Valley fever cases in 2024, which reportedly is its highest ever. Federal modelers estimate up to 360,000 Americans get sick each year from fungus.

While infections typically affect the lungs, when spores reach the brain, they cause meningitis. As described by the CDC, meningitis is inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Among patients hospitalized for Valley fever, 63.6% needed procedures like brain shunts. In one study, half developed hydrocephalus, a buildup of brain fluid, and 39% suffered strokes.

Scanning electron micrograph of fungal spores and branching hyphae, with 10 µm scale bar

“Too many patients are misdiagnosed and left without answers while their condition worsens,” said Congressman Vince Fong (CA) in September 2026. As always, the most important step is to protect yourself, so this misdiagnosis cannot occur. Protect yourself. While avoidance of dusty areas is optimal, it is not always possible. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, along with the CDC and various state governments, recommend wearing an N95 mask when in dusty outdoor environments, and when digging is involved. Ideally, stay fully indoors during dust storms. Also, be cautious about domestic or international travel: in 2023, a fungal meningitis outbreak tied to Mexican cosmetic-surgery clinics killed 12 of 24 US patients. See a doctor about any cough or headache that lingers.

*The number of Valley fever incidents are not recorded in every state, but of those who do, California, Arizona and the rest of the Southwest seem to have the greatest number of cases.

NE Joins States to Promote Veteran Brain Injury Bill – Congress Has Run Out of Excuses

Legislative Resolution 314 on hyperbaric oxygen therapy with Nebraska Capitol building in background

On April 9, 2026, Nebraska’s Legislature passed Legislative Resolution 293 in a 43-0 vote, making it the 14th state – alongside Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Wyoming, Maryland, Virginia, North Dakota, Tennessee and Missouri – to formally urge Congress to expand treatment access for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, one of the most pressing issues facing American veterans.

Introduced by Nebraska State Senator Kathleen Kauth, the resolution, “[urges] the United States Congress to swiftly enact legislation to provide for veterans’ access to treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”

In particular, states’ resolutions seek to encourage Congress to move forward on hyperbaric oxygen therapy. “A 4-week course of HBOT may alleviate depressive symptoms in PTSD patients, an effect associated with increased serum BDNF and β-NGF levels,” according to a 2026 study, available to view on the NLM database. The United States loses more than 17 veterans per day to suicide, with TBI and PTSD among the leading contributing factors.

Now that 14 states are aligned behind this legislation, the pressure on Congress to act is mounting.

Caring for Man’s Best Friend

The benefits of dog ownership are well-known.  “Owning a dog can lift your mood or help you feel less stressed.”  For veterans and others with disabilities, the benefits of have a dog, specifically service dogs, go beyond this: dogs can serve by helping or even doing certain tasks that the handlers cannot do themselves.

However, what happens when the dog is the one with a brain injury?  Yes, dog’s skulls are harder than those of humans and surrounded by protective fluid, both of which make brain injuries less common in them.  (This is fortunate for animals who play/fight for fun, may bump into coffee tables as they chase after toys, etc.)  Canines though, can get brain injuries in the same ways that humans can: a car accident, a fall, etc.  The possible symptoms are also similar to those of humans:  bleeding from the nose or ears, coma, confusion, death, disorientation, facial weakness, lethargy, loss of consciousness, paralysis, pupil dilation, seizures, and stumbling.

Once these symptoms begin to occur what do you do?  For these members of the family, seeking medical help should be the next step.  Going to the local veterinarian is definitely the appropriate action, but there are also neuro-veterinarian specialists.  While this is a very limited profession, it’s not impossible to find.  It is fortuitous to an injured canine if their owner lives in Arizona, as they have access to this professional expertise.  (For example, Lucky, a dog found shot in the Arizona desert by border control officers earlier this year, was relatively fortunate that such help was available to him.)

One thing not to do is to abandon the dog.  This is what happened earlier this month to one dog in Sacramento, CA .  A woman, assuredly not the owner, found an injured dog on the streets and brought him to the Sacramento County Bradshaw Animal Shelter.  The dog, now named Thomas, has gone through multiple tests, yet the doctors still do not know what happened to him, just that it resulted in a severe brain injury.  “He is such a fighter… Baby Thomas wants everyone to know he is determined to heal, grow up and live a long, mischievous life!”  This and so many other examples show the need for Sacramento Counties non-profit T.E.A.M. – Teaching Everyone Animals Matter.  (As of March 16, the owner of Thomas has still not been found.  T.E.A.M. is now offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.)

(Most states have laws prohibiting animal cruelty.  For example, 3 weeks ago, a 27-year-old man was sentenced to 12 years in prison in Texas for abusing his boxer puppy.  Most of these states also have a law prohibiting animal abandonment.)