A perilous fungus that “eats you from the inside out” is becoming more prevalent and could potentially impact millions.
Researchers are cautioning that a deadly fungus, capable of decaying tissue internally within the human body, is spreading rapidly throughout the US and globally. This spread is expected to accelerate further due to climate change in the upcoming years.
The aspergillus group of fungi is airborne, making its spores nearly unavoidable. People can inhale these tiny spores without even being aware of it.
This fungal mold thrives in warm, moist environments, affecting animals, livestock, plants, and humans who come into contact with it.
Inhaling these hazardous spores can lead to severe infections, especially in the lungs, resulting in a condition known as aspergillosis. For those who are vulnerable, this can lead to organ failure and even death.
A research team from the University of Manchester has published a new paper highlighting the risk that climate change poses by potentially increasing the spread of this infection into new regions of North America, Europe, China, and Russia over the next 15 years.
A study on infectious diseases, published in The Lancet last year, indicated that fungal infections currently result in approximately 2.5 million deaths annually. However, due to insufficient data collection, this number might be even higher.
Norman van Rijn, a co-author of the new study, noted that fungi are “relatively under-researched compared to viruses and parasites” and are difficult to diagnose. The university’s research team found that “fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future.”
Individuals with weakened immune systems, including those with cancer, asthma, HIV, cystic fibrosis, and COPD, as well as organ transplant recipients, are particularly at risk of health issues from inhaling fungal spores.
In such instances, the fungus “starts to grow and basically kind of eat you from the inside out,” said a professor from the University of Manchester’s School of Biological Sciences, as reported by CNN.
This lethal fungus has already been detected in several US states, including Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, according to the Daily Mail.
California is experiencing significant exposure due to its humid climate and agricultural activities.
Additionally, densely populated cities like New York and Los Angeles face risk due to their aging infrastructure.
Researchers indicated that the pathogens of Aspergillus flavus might increase by up to 16 percent, spreading throughout the US, Europe, and beyond, putting an additional one million individuals at risk.
Furthermore, Aspergillus fumigatus could see an increase of 77.5 percent, potentially affecting nine million people in Europe.
Medical professionals advise individuals with compromised immune systems to avoid exposure to soil, gardening, and moldy environments, and to wear masks in dusty areas where fungi might thrive.
Professor van Rhijn explained to the Financial Times: “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.”
The researchers note that fungi are “incredibly adaptable organisms,” enabling them to colonize new territories and endure environmental changes, even showing resistance to antifungal treatments.
Rhijn added: “Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread.”
“Raising awareness and developing effective interventions for fungal pathogens will be essential to mitigate the consequences of this.”