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Dust Storms, Valley Fever, and Public Awareness
  • +3
  • Daniel Tong,
  • Morgan Elizabeth Gorris,
  • Thomas E. Gill,
  • Karin Ardon-Dryer,
  • Julian X.L. Wang,
  • Ling Ren
Daniel Tong
George Mason University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Morgan Elizabeth Gorris
Los Alamos National Laboratory
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Thomas E. Gill
University of Texas at El Paso
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Karin Ardon-Dryer
Texas Tech University
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Julian X.L. Wang
George Mason University
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Ling Ren
George Mason University
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Abstract

Inspired by Comrie (2021), we discuss a few issues related to dust storms and Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever). There is inconsistency in the term “dust storm” as used by science communities, and the dust data from NOAA 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, duration, and spatial coverage of dust events. Given abundant evidence that dust storms are a viable driver to transport Coccidioides, it is in best public interest to advocate that dust storms may put people at risk for contracting Valley fever.