As the effects of climate change continue to rise global temperature, a killer fungus is expected to expand around the world, as per a study conducted by Manchester University. Researchers have found that the fungus, called Aspergillus, is rapidly spreading. The Manchester University study has also forecasted how climate change and hot climates could accelerate the spread of this Aspergillus species of fungus. People from around the world have already seen the spread of a potentially killer fungus in the TV show The Last of Us, but this time it can turn into reality.
Aspergillus fungi group, which is classified as a common fungus, can cause life-threatening diseases to humans, like severe infections. It is also hazardous for livestock and plant life. The climate change and rise in global temperature have altered the environment so much so that it can trigger the spread of many fungal pathogens, including the Aspergillus fungi.
What Research Say
Researchers at Manchester University say that as the climate crisis intensifies, certain Aspergillus species will expand and push into new parts of North America, Europe, and North Asian countries like China and the USA.
Aspergillus, like all fungi, releases a large number of tiny spores every day, which spread through air. When humans inhale these spores, they do not usually cause any health issue due to the immune system.
However, people with lung conditions such as asthma, COPD, or cystic fibrosis can come into a compromised position after inhaling the fungi.
After the spread of COVID-19, or after suffering from cancer, threat from these fungi can increase. Aspergillus is also responsible for causing aspergillosis, with a mortality rate of 20 to 40%. If the immune system fails to clear out these spores, the fungi can even grow within the body and eat you from the inside out.
Worldwide, fungal infection has been linked to cause 2,500,000 deaths globally each year. If the immune system fails to fight the spores released by Aspergillus, it can cause invasive aspergillosis, which already kills an annual 1.8 million people globally.
