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Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
'World near tipping point': Study warns about a deadly fungus that could kill millions
A new study has raised concerns about the possible spread of a deadly fungus across Europe, Asia, and the Americas due to rising global temperatures. The fungus, Aspergillus, thrives in warm and damp environments and could cause severe lung infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems or chronic respiratory illnesses. Risk of infection linked to warming climate Researchers say that Aspergillus could expand its reach as temperatures rise, making millions more vulnerable to its effects. The fungus is already known to grow in compost and other high-temperature settings. Its ability to survive at 37°C, the temperature inside the human body, allows it to infect the lungs of susceptible individuals. While not everyone who inhales its spores falls ill, people with asthma, cystic fibrosis, or weakened immunity are more likely to be affected. A global shift in species distribution Norman van Rhijn, a co-author of the study, warned that the world was approaching a "tipping point" regarding fungal pathogens. "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 told the Financial Times. Live Events The study noted that Aspergillus fumigatus could potentially spread to 77% more territory by 2100 if fossil fuel use continues at the current rate. This would put an estimated nine million people in Europe at risk of exposure. Limited understanding of fungal pathogens Scientists say the danger is made worse by the fact that fungi are one of the least understood groups of organisms. Only around 10% of the estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million fungal species have been properly identified, and very few have had their genomes sequenced. "Its lifestyle in the natural environment may have provided Aspergillus fumigatus with the fitness advantage needed to colonise human lungs," said Professor Elaine Bignell, co-director at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at Exeter University. Drug development lags behind Despite the potential threat, investment in antifungal medicines has been slow. Scientists say this is due to high development costs and low expected returns, making it a less attractive area for pharmaceutical companies. The study also mentioned the fungus's ability to survive in extreme conditions, including the radioactive environment inside Chernobyl's nuclear reactors, which underlines its resilience.
14-06-2025
- Health
Climate change leads to spread of infection-causing fungi, scientists say
Climate change may be putting millions more people at risk from an infection-causing fungi, which is likely spreading due to warming global temperatures, scientists say. There will likely be an increased risk of infection due to harmful fungi in the coming years due to climate change, according to researchers from the University of Manchester. The scientists mapped the effects of rising temperatures on global distribution of three infection-causing fungi under different climate scenarios through 2100: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger, according to the paper, which has been published on preprint platform Research Square and not yet been peer-reviewed. Aspergillus, a fungal mold that thrives in warm, damp climates, is already found worldwide -- including in the U.S. -- and can impact humans, animals, livestock and plants. But current emissions projections indicate that within 15 years a "significant spread" of certain fungal pathogens could occur in Europe and beyond, the researchers said. Under this scenario, the spread of A. flavus could increase by 16%, putting 1 million more people in Europe at risk of infection, according to the paper. Another fungus, A. fumigatus, could increase by 77.5% and potentially expose 9 million people in Europe, the researchers said. A. fumigatus affects the lungs and is one of the most common pathogens responsible for life-threatening infections in humans, according to the paper. Fungal spores transported through the air can cause infections in humans when inhaled -- especially for vulnerable populations and people with weakened immune systems and lung disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fungi are "incredibly adaptable organisms" that allow them to colonize new geographies and survive environment changes, the researchers said. The emergence and spread of the fungus Candida auris has also occurred as a result of warming temperatures, Van Rhijn said. "Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread," Norman van Rhijn, professor at the University of Manchester's School of Biological Sciences and lead author of the paper, said in a statement. The trend is especially concerning due to a rise in antifungal resistance -- driven by the use of fungicides in agriculture to protect crops -- as well as a "severe lack" of treatment options for fungal infections, the researchers said. But fungi are relatively under researched compared to viruses and parasites, Van Rhijn said. Less than 10% of up to 3.8 million species have been described, the researchers said. "Raising awareness and developing effective interventions for fungal pathogens will be essential to mitigate the consequences of this," he said.
The Irish Sun
05-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Major health warning as ‘killer fungus' heads towards Ireland as global temperatures continue to rise
AN URGENT warning has been issued over a "killer fungus" that is making its way to new parts of Europe as global temperatures continue to soar. Aspergillus, a mould that can cause respiratory and lung issues if it infects a person, may infect millions of people each year if it spreads to more northern nations in 2 Aspergillus may spread to more northerly nations in Europe as global temperatures soar Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 Research reveals that fungal infections will be a factor in millions of deaths across the globe each year. Credit: Getty Images - Getty The growth of fungal pathogens, which can flourish in a wide range of settings, including homes, is approaching a tipping point, according to Norman van Rhijn, a Wellcome Trust research fellow at Manchester University who co-authored the study. He stated that fungal Aspergillosis, also known as a The disease is difficult to diagnose due to its hard-to-detect spores, meaning there's a shortage of treatments for the diseases they trigger, and they are growing resistance to existing READ MORE ON HSE Speaking to the Financial Times, Van Rhijn said: "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." Despite being a dangerous fungal mould, it can have positive benefits as it is used in industrial and It was revealed that inhaling its spores does not make everyone ill, but it can be particularly threatening to those with conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis or an immune-compromised system. Most read in Health In the latest research, it was revealed by the Financial Times that Aspergillus fumigatus could spread across an additional 77 per cent of the territory by the year 2100 due to the world's heavy use of fossil fuels. This means that it could potentially expose nine million people in Europe to infection. Mother speaks after her baby is seventh to die from Aspergillus mould infection at Seattle Children's Hospital The species flourishes in the 37C internal temperature of the human body, which can be explained by its ability to develop swiftly in high temperatures in compost. 'SERIOUS THREAT' TO HUMANS It was named as one of four critical fungal pathogens that posed the highest risk by the Professor Elaine Bignell, co-director at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at Exeter University, said: "Its lifestyle in the natural environment may have provided Aspergillus fumigatus with the fitness advantage needed to colonise human lungs." Another species, Aspergillus flavus, lives on crops and could spread to an added 16 per cent of territory in north Some existing areas in Darius Armstrong-James, professor of infectious diseases and medical mycology at Imperial College London, told the Financial Times: "There are serious threats from this organism both in terms of human health and food security." It was also discovered that the disease produces damaging chemicals called aflatoxins that can cause Higher temperatures and CO2 levels can boost the toxin's production and contaminate its crop hosts, scientists have found.
NDTV
05-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Deadly Fungus Could Kill Millions In Asia, Europe And The Americas, Study Warns
A killer fungus could spread through parts of Europe, Asia and the Americas, causing serious lung problems for vulnerable people due to rising temperatures, a new study has warned. Aspergillus, a type of fungus that thrives in warm, damp climates, has the potential to infect millions if it makes its way into the aforementioned regions. Norman van Rhijn, the study co-author, has warned that the world was approaching a "tipping point" where the spread of fungal pathogens could become the norm. "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," Mr Van Rhijn told the Financial Times. As per the study, the species can grow quickly in high temperatures in compost, which explains why it is able to thrive in the 37C internal temperature of the human body. Additionally, fungi's resilience means they can survive and thrive in places that other organisms can't, even inside Chernobyl's nuclear reactors. While inhaling the fungus's spores does not make everyone ill, those with conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis or a weakened immune system remain at risk. Fungal infection What makes the situation worrisome is the fact that the fungal kingdom is largely unexplored by scientists. Less than 10 per cent of an estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million fungi species have been described, and only a tiny fraction have had their genetic material (genome) sequenced. "Its lifestyle in the natural environment may have provided Aspergillus fumigatus with the fitness advantage needed to colonise human lungs," said Professor Elaine Bignell, co-director at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at Exeter University. The study highlighted that Aspergillus fumigatus could spread across an additional 77 per cent of territory by the year 2100 as a result of the world's heavy use of fossil fuels. As a result, potentially nine million people in Europe could be exposed to the infection. While the danger is imminent, scientists say the development of antifungal medicines has been hobbled by the financial unattractiveness of investing in them, because of high costs and doubts over their profitability.
Times
04-05-2025
- Health
- Times
Killer fungus will spread as climate heats up, experts warn
A killer fungus that could infect millions of people a year is likely to spread to additional countries because of rising temperatures, new climate change research claims. Aspergillus could reach more northerly countries in Europe, Asia and America, according to a study co-authored by Norman van Rhijn, a Wellcome Trust research fellow at Manchester University. He said the world was approaching a tipping point in the proliferation of fungal pathogens, which can thrive in environments ranging from arid habitats to damp corners of houses. Fungal infections are estimated to be a factor in millions of deaths worldwide each year. One leading danger is aspergillosis, a lung disease caused by spores that can spread to other organs. Van Rhijn told the FT: 'We're talking
