Inside 'killer fungus' plague that could cause millions of agonising deaths
Rising global temperatures are accelerating the spread of Aspergillus - a common fungus that now poses an increasing threat to human health, researchers have warned.
Aspergillus, a type of mould found widely in air, soil, decaying matter, and even food, typically goes unnoticed. However, when its spores are inhaled, particularly by individuals with weakened immune systems, they can lead to a severe infection called aspergillosis. In some cases, the fungus can grow into large masses in the lungs - comparable in size to tennis balls - causing serious breathing difficulties and potentially spreading to the skin, brain, heart, or kidneys.
Next comes bleeding, with fever, shortness of breath and skin lesions. The infection can be fatal.
Scientists are now linking the rising prevalence of aspergillosis to climate change. Warmer conditions are encouraging the growth and geographic spread of the fungus across Europe and beyond. According to experts, invasive fungal infections, including aspergillosis, are already responsible for at least 2.5 million deaths worldwide each year.
Professor Norman Van Rhijn from the University of Manchester told the Financial Times that the world is approaching a "tipping point" in the spread of fungal pathogens. "We're talking about hundreds of thousands of lives and continental shifts in species distributions," he said. "In 50 years, the organisms that grow - and those that infect us - will be completely different."
One of the most concerning species is Aspergillus fumigatus, which is already present in the UK. New research suggests it could spread further into northern Europe, Asia, and the Americas, potentially reaching the Arctic within the next 75 years and putting an additional nine million people at risk. The species thrives in warm compost, which may have helped it adapt to human body temperatures around 37°C.
Another species highlighted in the study is Aspergillus flavus, known for producing aflatoxins - dangerous chemicals linked to cancer and severe liver damage. Rising CO₂ levels and higher temperatures are believed to be accelerating the production of these toxins, raising concerns for both human health and food safety.
Professor Darius Armstrong-James of Imperial College London emphasised the dual threat, saying: 'There are serious dangers from this organism in terms of both health and food security.'
There could also be an immense environmental impact. The spread of fungal pathogens could destabilise ecosystems in regions like Brazil and parts of Africa by wiping out native fungi essential to biodiversity.
Meanwhile, treatment for fungal infections is becoming increasingly difficult due to rising resistance. The overuse of antifungal drugs in both medicine and agriculture has led to the evolution of stronger, drug-resistant strains commonly referred to as "super-fungi."
Because fungi reproduce and mutate quickly, repeated exposure to antifungal agents - especially azoles - drives rapid resistance.
Agricultural practices also contribute to the problem. Many of the same antifungal agents used in medicine are also applied to crops. When fungi in the soil are exposed to these treatments, it increases the likelihood of resistant strains developing.
READ MORE: Mystery deadly virus spreading quietly is more dangerous than thought - and there's no vaccine
Viv Goossens, research manager at Wellcome, warned that climate change will only intensify these challenges. 'Fungal pathogens pose a serious threat to both human health and food systems. Climate change will make these risks worse. We need more research and better tools to track and prepare for these threats.'
Despite the mounting danger, fungal infections remain one of the most underfunded areas in infectious disease research. Fewer than 10% of the estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million fungal species have been identified. In response, the Wellcome Trust is pledging over £50 million to support fungal research over the next year.
The urgency of the issue was highlighted by a 2021 outbreak of A. fumigatus among COVID-19 patients in intensive care units. The fungus infected already weakened lungs, with mortality rates reaching 70%.
Earlier this year, 32-year-old Matthew Langsworth from Leamington Spa was hospitalised with a life-threatening blood infection after living in a mould-infested home where fungal spores had been concealed with paint. Cases like his highlight the serious health risks associated with living in damp or mouldy environments.
Household mould, a form of microscopic fungus, releases thousands of toxic particles into the air.
Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory issues, including asthma, allergies, and infections like aspergillosis. Warning signs include persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and worsening symptoms in people with pre-existing lung conditions.
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