Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:12am on 11 May 2026,Monday India Global
Chiranjeevi Kolla, a 37-year-old Indian tech professional based in California, died on May 5 after battling Valley fever, a fungal infection caused by airborne Coccidioides spores found in soil. According to a GoFundMe page started by his cousin Rama Koteswara Rao, Kolla initially developed flu-like symptoms in April before doctors diagnosed him with Valley fever after his condition worsened. The infection severely damaged his lungs, leading to intubation and ventilator support during a month-long hospitalisation. He is survived by his wife Pavani Marella and their five-year-old son Vihan. The fundraiser described him as the family’s emotional and financial backbone while highlighting mounting ICU bills, funeral expenses and financial hardship after his death. (PC: X)
