TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A man in his 50s has contracted Taiwan’s first recorded domestic case of valley fever, Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control reported Tuesday.

The man from northern Taiwan became short of breath and started coughing in early August. His condition did not improve, so he sought medical attention, and blood tests confirmed the disease, CDC epidemic prevention physician Lee Tsung-han (李宗翰) said at a press conference.

Valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection. Symptoms of infection include headaches, night sweats, and joint pain. There can also be rashes, chest pains, seizures, and even death in rare cases.

Infection is caused by dust containing Coccidioides spores entering the lungs, where they grow into clusters. Most cases are said to be mild or asymptomatic, but severe forms can spread.

The fungus is usually found in desert regions in the US, Mexico, and Central and South America. While individuals can become infected by inhaling airborne spores, the disease cannot be transmitted between people. Pets, too, can contract the disease.

Lee said the individual did not travel abroad during the incubation period. Since it is not an endemic disease, the infection is being classified as a domestic case. He added the infection may have been caused by dust particles from handling shipping containers.

Taiwan is said to have previously recorded 20 valley fever cases, but they were all imported, according to CDC Director-General Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞).

CDC Spokesperson Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) added that most people infected with the disease recover on their own, and the overall fatality rate is below 1%. High-risk groups include those with weakened immune systems, chronic conditions like diabetes, or pregnant women.

Valley fever is also known as cocci, desert rheumatism, California fever, or San Joaquin Valley fever.