California-Resident Indian Techie Dies After Month-Long Valley Fever Battle

Chiranjeevi Kolla, a 37-year-old Indian tech professional based in California, died after a month-long battle with Valley fever, a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides. He first fell ill in April with flu-like symptoms, was hospitalized with severe pneumonia and placed on a ventilator, and succumbed after 30 days in the ICU. He is survived by his wife and their five-year-old son, with a GoFundMe fundraiser noting the emotional and financial strain on the family.