[notatoad]

>doesn't every place have its own local diseases and parasites?

Exactly. This whole article feels like the sort of ego piece you only get out of places like LA or NYC. Every place on earth has diseases and other medical problems caused by local environmental factors. To give it that a name like "valley fever" is to trivialize the fact that the exact same phenomenon occurs everywhere else in the world too.

[kafkaesque]

I agree that the article is too California-centric, but if you follow the link to the Valley Fever Center, the first thing it says is "Two-thirds of all U.S. Valley Fever infections are contracted in Arizona"[0]. I'm not saying this is the next epidemic in the 'West', but I do feel a watchful eye is needed. I live in LA, I'm a runner and don't live in a coastal city. My lungs are very susceptible to bad air (particulates). I moved to LA from a city with much cleaner air, and I've read LA residents tend to have more lung problems. Sorry, I don't have a link/source handy.

[0] https://www.vfce.arizona.edu/

[jacques_chester]

In fairness, it's causing genuine suffering and is so far incurable for many people.

[clauretano]

They call it "valley fever" in the Valley of the Sun (i.e. Phoenix metro area) as well.