Indian Techie Dies in California After Battling Severe Valley Fever
An Indian tech professional, Chiranjeevi Kolla, 37, tragically passed away in California after a month-long battle with Valley Fever, a severe fungal infection. His family has launched a fundraiser to support his wife and young son.
Key Highlights
- Indian techie Chiranjeevi Kolla, 37, died in California from Valley Fever.
- He battled the fungal infection for approximately one month in intensive care.
- Initial flu-like symptoms were misdiagnosed as severe pneumonia.
- Valley Fever is an endemic fungal infection in parts of the southwestern US.
- A GoFundMe campaign supports his grieving wife and five-year-old son.
- The disease is contracted by inhaling fungal spores from disturbed soil.
Chiranjeevi Kolla, a 37-year-old Indian tech professional originally from India, tragically died in California, USA, on May 5, after a grueling month-long battle with Valley Fever, a severe fungal infection medically known as Coccidioidomycosis. Kolla, who worked as a lead engineer in the healthcare technology sector in the San Francisco Bay Area, is survived by his wife, Pavani Marella, and their five-year-old son, Vihan.
The heartbreaking ordeal began in early April when Kolla developed symptoms akin to an ordinary flu and a persistent cough. As his condition rapidly worsened, he sought emergency medical care. Doctors initially suspected severe pneumonia due to the similarity in symptoms. However, subsequent tests revealed the true culprit: Valley Fever, an infection caused by the Coccidioides fungus, which is prevalent in the soil of California and other parts of the southwestern United States.
According to a GoFundMe campaign initiated by his cousin, Rama Koteswara Rao, Kolla's infection severely overwhelmed his lungs. He was intubated and placed on a ventilator, spending nearly a month in intensive care at Kaiser Permanente in Walnut Creek, California. Despite the doctors' best efforts and a prolonged fight for his life, his body succumbed to the infection on May 5. The fundraiser poignantly describes his wife, Pavani, remaining by his side throughout his hospitalization, trying to comfort their young son who kept asking when his father would return home.
Valley Fever, or Coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection caused by inhaling airborne spores of the Coccidioides fungus, which resides in the soil of dry, desert-like regions, particularly in the southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and parts of Texas), as well as Mexico and Central/South America. The spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed by activities like construction, farming, or even wind. While many people who contract Valley Fever experience mild or no symptoms and recover without treatment, some develop severe lung disease, and in rare cases, the infection can disseminate beyond the lungs to other parts of the body, including bones, skin, and the central nervous system, leading to potentially fatal conditions like meningitis.
In California, the incidence of Valley Fever has been on the rise. The California Department of Public Health reported 7,451 new cases in 2022, with an incidence rate of 19.1 per 100,000 population. There are around 80 deaths annually in California attributable to Valley Fever, and over 1,000 hospitalizations. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, California recorded 3,123 cases, nearly double the 10-year average for that period, indicating a significant surge. Experts attribute this increase to environmental factors such as rainfall, drought cycles, and human activities in endemic areas. While the term 'rare fungal infection' might be used in general news reporting, it is important to note that Valley Fever is endemic to these regions and cases are common, though severe outcomes like Kolla's are indeed less frequent.
Chiranjeevi Kolla was described by his family as a soft-spoken and dedicated individual, the primary earning member of his household. The GoFundMe campaign aims to raise $300,000 to cover his substantial hospital expenses from the month-long ICU stay, funeral arrangements in both California and India, and to provide crucial support for his wife and son's daily living costs and future education. His death serves as a somber reminder for individuals, particularly those from non-endemic regions, about the potential health risks associated with living in or visiting areas where Valley Fever is prevalent.
Prevention strategies, especially for those in endemic regions or those engaging in activities that disturb soil, include avoiding dusty areas, staying indoors during dust storms, using N95 respirator masks during outdoor activities like gardening or construction, and utilizing high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters indoors. Early diagnosis is crucial, as symptoms can often mimic other respiratory illnesses, leading to potentially delayed treatment in severe cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)?
Valley Fever, or Coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection caused by the Coccidioides fungus, which lives in the soil in certain dry regions of the southwestern United States (like California and Arizona), Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. People get infected by inhaling the microscopic fungal spores when contaminated soil or dust is disturbed.
What are the symptoms of Valley Fever?
Symptoms, if they appear, usually start 1 to 3 weeks after exposure and often resemble flu-like illnesses, including fever, cough, fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Some people may also experience joint pain or a rash. Many infected individuals show no symptoms or only mild ones that resolve on their own.
Is Valley Fever common in California?
Yes, Valley Fever is endemic to certain parts of California, particularly the Central Valley and Central Coast regions. Thousands of cases are reported annually in the state, with the incidence rising in recent years due to environmental factors. While the infection itself is common in endemic areas, severe cases like the one experienced by Chiranjeevi Kolla are less frequent.
How can one prevent Valley Fever infection?
Preventing Valley Fever can be challenging in endemic areas. Recommended measures include avoiding very dusty areas (like construction sites), staying indoors during dust storms, keeping windows and doors closed, using N95 respirator masks during activities that disturb soil (gardening, digging), and using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters indoors. There is currently no vaccine available.
What happens if Valley Fever is severe or disseminated?
While most cases are mild, severe Valley Fever can lead to serious lung disease, requiring hospitalization and antifungal medication, sometimes for extended periods. In rare instances, the fungus can spread (disseminate) from the lungs to other body parts like the skin, bones, joints, or even the central nervous system, potentially causing conditions like meningitis, which can be fatal if untreated.
