A new global health threat is gaining ground, and it’s not bacterial: it's fungal. Microscopic spores from fungi that naturally live in soil, air, and even on our bodies are behind a surge in deadly infections, with an estimated 6.5 million invasive fungal cases and 3.8 million related deaths each year.
As global temperatures rise, infection-causing fungi could expand into new regions, posing a growing threat to human health, according to new research. Scientists from the University of Manchester used climate models to predict the spread of Aspergillus, a common fungus that can cause a serious, sometimes fatal, lung disease.
The study, which is undergoing peer review, warns that millions of lives may be at risk as the fungus becomes more prevalent in warmer conditions. The simulations also suggest that certain Aspergillus strains will extend their reach into areas of North America, Europe, China, and Russia as the climate crisis accelerates.
Scientists warn that some fungal infections grow increasingly resistant to existing treatments and that they are hard to combat. In response to the rising resistance, the World Health Organization released a fungal priority pathogens list, flagging 19 species that urgently require new drug development.
Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides, which grows in the soil of the Southwestern US, parts of Washington state, and Central and South America. In most cases, it causes mild or no symptoms and often clears up on its own. However, in rare cases it can lead to persistent lung problems or more serious illness, requiring medical treatment to manage the complications.
Currently spreading across California, what exactly is valley fever? Click on to find out.