As global temperatures continue to rise, humanity is facing an increasing threat from emerging health issues. Scientists have issued serious warnings regarding the dangers posed by fungi from the Aspergillus genus. These fungi are rapidly spreading to new regions due to climate change, raising global concern over a potential surge in fungal infections. Once confined to specific environmental conditions, fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus are now expanding their range, which has sparked fears that these organisms could contribute to a global health crisis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially classified Aspergillus fumigatus as a hazardous fungus and emphasized the urgent need for greater awareness and preparedness to address the associated risks. Aspergillus is a common mold found in soil, decaying plant matter, and air. While most people inhale its spores without harm, individuals with weakened immune systems or respiratory conditions are at increased risk of developing a disease called aspergillosis. This illness can range from mild allergic reactions to severe and life-threatening infections.
Climate change is playing a pivotal role in the spread of fungal pathogens. A study led by Dr. Norman van Rhijn from the University of Manchester, alongside researchers supported by the Wellcome Trust, found that as global temperatures rise, fungal species such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger will expand their territories. Even if the world manages to limit global warming to just 2°C, the spread of these fungi will still increase significantly, particularly in temperate regions like Scandinavia and the UK.
In a more likely scenario, where temperatures rise by 2.6 to 3.1°C, Aspergillus niger alone could expose an additional 10 million people in Europe to infection. The increase in fungal infections could be linked to changes in environmental factors such as humidity and extreme weather patterns. These conditions are creating ideal environments for fungi to thrive. In the UK, rising temperatures are predicted to allow Aspergillus fungi to spread to areas where they were previously not a concern. The consequences could be dire for those already vulnerable to respiratory illnesses, particularly in places where antifungal treatments are limited.
Fungal infections pose a serious threat to both human health and global food security. As fungi spread to new regions, they are not only affecting human populations but also endangering crops and livestock. Species like Aspergillus flavus, which thrive on crops, are expected to expand their range, potentially contaminating food supplies and threatening food security in northern regions such as Russia, Scandinavia, and Alaska. These fungi are also contributing to a growing problem of antifungal resistance. Due to widespread use of antifungals in agriculture, fungi are developing resistance to the few treatments that are currently available.
The problem is compounded by the fact that fungal infections are often difficult to diagnose, and there is a lack of awareness and research funding compared to other pathogens like viruses and bacteria. As a result, the healthcare system is not fully prepared to deal with the increasing number of fungal infections, particularly as these pathogens continue to evolve and spread. Dr. Norman van Rhijn stated, “Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread.”
In Chile, hospitals like the Hospital El Pino in San Bernardo have already seen firsthand the dangers posed by fungal infections. Earlier this year, five hospital wards were temporarily shut down after two patients contracted aspergillosis, a lung infection caused by the Aspergillus fungus. Health officials were forced to take preventive measures, highlighting the real threat posed by these pathogens, particularly for patients with weakened immune systems.
New research has uncovered an unexpected way that fungal spores are able to travel across vast distances. A team of researchers led by Jérôme Kasparian at the University of Geneva discovered that fungal spores can survive in the stratosphere—an area of the atmosphere that extends roughly 10 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. These spores are carried by winds and can travel across continents, potentially infecting populations thousands of miles away from their source. This discovery was made possible by a novel device that sampled the air at high altitudes, capturing spores from various fungi.
Among the spores collected were pathogens like Naganishia albida, which can cause serious infections in immunocompromised individuals. Researchers successfully revived and cultured these spores back in the lab, demonstrating that they were able to survive the harsh conditions of the stratosphere. The implications are significant—fungal spores, which were once thought to be confined to specific regions, may now be able to spread globally, hitching a ride on high-altitude winds.
To mitigate these threats, there is a pressing need to increase monitoring, encourage scientific research, raise public awareness, and adopt safe agricultural practices. These measures are vital to protect both public health and food security from the risks posed by Aspergillus. Dr. Norman van Rhijn explained, “We’ve already seen the emergence of the fungus Candida auris due to rising temperatures, but, until now, we had little information of how other fungi might respond to this change in the environment.”
Fungal infections can be particularly concerning because they are often harder to treat. In 2022, the World Health Organization report listed 19 fungi that were a danger to public health, flagging that a historic lack of focus on fungal infections had resulted in significant gaps in knowledge on treatments and diagnostics. While there are more deaths associated with bacterial superbugs than fungi (4.7 million versus 3.8 million), there are only 17 available antifungal drugs compared with hundreds of antibiotics for bacterial infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As climate change continues to alter our world, the risk of fungal infections is likely to grow. Experts urge that raising awareness and developing effective interventions for fungal pathogens will be essential to mitigate the consequences of this burgeoning threat.
