Festival attendees make their way towards Skrillex’s performance at the Lightning Stage, while others head towards the exits on Sunday, May 26 at the Lightning in a Bottle music festival.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is urging people who attended the Lighting in a Bottle festival to see a healthcare provider if they are experiencing respiratory symptoms after five attendees were diagnosed with Valley fever, officials said.
State officials say over 20,000 people attended the festival in Buena Vista Lake, and five have been identified with Valley fever. Three of the five patients were hospitalized, according to a statement from California health officials.
Officials say additional cases linked to the festival are possible.
“Valley fever is on the rise in California, with particularly high numbers of cases reported in 2023 and 2024 and is most common in the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast areas of California,” CDPH officials said.
People who visit Kern County and are experiencing respiratory infection symptoms that have not improved or are lasting longer than a week should visit a healthcare provider. State officials say infection symptoms include cough, fever, fatigue, difficulty breathing and chest pain.
State officials say that although the festival was in May, mild cases of Valley fever may have resolved and other patients with long-term or severe disease may be undiagnosed or still symptomatic.
For more information on Valley fever, visit the California Department of Public Health’s website.
Rachel Carter is a health and wellness expert dedicated to helping readers lead healthier lives. With a background in nutrition, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being.
