Deadly Fungus Alert: Rising Temperatures Could Trigger The Next Pandemic, Experts Warn (Image Credits: iStock)
A potentially deadly fungus known as Aspergillus fumigatus could soon expand its reach across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, putting millions at risk of serious lung infections, a new study has revealed. The alarming spread of this fungus is being fueled by climate change, as rising temperatures create ideal conditions for its growth and transmission.
According to the study, Aspergillus, a mould that flourishes in warm and damp environments, could pose a severe threat to individuals with underlying health conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or weakened immune systems. While not everyone who inhales the spores becomes ill, vulnerable populations may suffer from severe respiratory complications, including allergic reactions, chronic lung infections, or invasive aspergillosis—a life-threatening condition.
Co-author of the study, Norman van Rhijn, has sounded the alarm, stating that the world may be nearing a "tipping point" where fungal infections become far more common due to changing environmental conditions. “We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of lives and continental shifts in species distributions. In 50 years, where things grow and what you get infected by is going to be completely different,” van Rhijn said.
The study also revealed that the Aspergillus fungus thrives in compost, which naturally heats up during decomposition, simulating the human body's internal temperature of 37°C. This explains its capacity to colonise human lungs effectively. The fungus's resilience is so extreme that it can even survive in harsh environments like the radioactive zones of Chernobyl.
Professor Elaine Bignell, co-director at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at Exeter University, noted, “Its lifestyle in the natural environment may have provided Aspergillus fumigatus with the fitness advantage needed to colonise human lungs.”
Concerningly, scientists have explored only a fraction of the fungal kingdom. Of an estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million fungal species, less than 10 per cent have been described, and even fewer have had their genomes sequenced. This vast gap in knowledge makes it harder to predict and combat emerging fungal threats.
According to the research, by the year 2100, the fungus could potentially spread to 77 per cent more global territory due to fossil fuel-driven climate change. This could lead to the exposure of an estimated nine million people in Europe alone.
Despite the clear threat, the development of antifungal treatments remains limited. Experts say pharmaceutical companies are often reluctant to invest in antifungal research due to high costs and uncertain financial returns.
Tips to Stay Safe from Aspergillus Infection:
Avoid areas with high mould presence, such as compost piles, construction sites, and damp basements.
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