Climate change fuels spread of deadly fungus, scientists warn of global health crisis
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A recent study has raised alarms about the growing threat of a potentially lethal fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus, which could infect millions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas as global temperatures continue to rise.
Researchers warned that the world is nearing a critical “tipping point” where fungal infections may become increasingly widespread and difficult to control.
Co-author of the study, Norman van Rhijn, highlighted the severity of the threat, stating that the consequences could involve "hundreds of thousands of lives" and dramatic shifts in global ecosystems.
The fungus, commonly found in compost, thrives in hot and moist environments and can easily adapt to high temperatures, including the 37°C internal heat of the human body. While healthy individuals are generally unaffected, those with underlying conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, or compromised immune systems are at serious risk of developing lung infections upon inhaling the spores.
What deepens the concern is the limited scientific understanding of fungi in general.
Experts estimate that only 10% of the world’s 1.5 to 3.8 million fungal species have been formally identified, with even fewer having had their genomes sequenced. This makes anticipating and treating emerging fungal threats particularly difficult.
Professor Elaine Bignell from the University of Exeter’s MRC Centre for Medical Mycology noted that the fungus’s resilience in harsh environments - such as compost piles and even the irradiated interiors of Chernobyl’s reactors - gives it an evolutionary edge in infecting humans.
The study also projected a grim future: by the year 2100, Aspergillus fumigatus could expand its reach by 77%, potentially exposing up to nine million people in Europe alone to the infection. This expansion is linked to ongoing fossil fuel consumption and climate change.
Despite the growing risk, the development of antifungal treatments remains underfunded and overlooked due to the high costs involved and limited financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies.
Scientists are urging urgent investment in fungal research and public health preparedness to avoid a looming global health crisis.
