The Aspergillus fungus is a known threat in tropical and subtropical climates but could soon spread across Europe and reach the UK as the TV show The Last of Us highlights scientists’ concerns
A deadly fungus that already infects millions of people in warmer parts of the world could soon spread across Europe and reach the UK, according to a new climate change study.
The Aspergillus fungus – already a known threat in tropical and subtropical climates – causes serious brain infections in humans, kills livestock, and renders crops unsafe to eat. Now, with global temperatures rising, researchers say its reach is expanding rapidly, and the UK could be next.
Viewers of The Last of Us might recognise the fictional version of this threat, but “the reality is already scary enough,” said lead author Dr Norman van Rhijn from the University of Manchester, speaking to Sky News.
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Dr van Rhijn warned that infections like invasive aspergillosis – which spreads from the lungs to other organs – currently kill 1.8million people globally each year. “Most fungi live in the environment,” he said. “Because that environment is rapidly changing, we will definitely see different kinds of diseases and infections popping up over the next 50 years or so.”
The new research shows that species such as Aspergillus fumigatus, flavus, and niger are set to move northward from their current hotspots in Africa and South America, reaching parts of Europe, the UK, and even Scandinavia. In an optimistic climate scenario where warming is limited to around 2C, Aspergillus fungi would still expand significantly – while likely retreating from southern Europe, which may become too hot even for these heat-loving pathogens.
The study, which is supported by the Wellcome Trust but has not yet been peer-reviewed, highlights a growing but underreported risk of fungal disease. Separate to the study, Professor Katie Field, Professor of Plant-Soil Processes in the School of Biosciences at the University of Sheffield, told the Mirror: “Rising global temperatures are creating more favourable conditions for these fungi further north than we might normally expect, allowing them to expand into regions that were previously unsuitable for them.
“As global temperatures rise, we can expect to see the fungi moving northwards, inevitably leading to spread of disease in previously unaffected areas.” Unlike bacteria and viruses, fungi are largely uncharted territory – over 90 percent of fungal species remain unknown to science. They’re also increasingly resistant to treatment and hard to diagnose.
Prof Field adds: “This is especially concerning given the fungus’ increasing resistance to existing anti-fungal drugs. As well as disease, some species of Aspergillus can contaminate crops, producing toxins that can threaten food safety and security. More research on the biology and potential controls for these fungi is clearly needed.”
Despite the lack of formal peer review, experts are taking the findings seriously. Speaking to the Mirror, Professor Dann Mitchell, climate science expert at the University of Bristol, says: “This study could be an important addition to the growing body of research on infectious disease risk changes driven by shifting climate patterns – primarily caused by human activity.”
He continues: “It is particularly notable given that most future climate impact projections focus on viral, bacterial, or parasitic pathogens. Fungi are often overlooked, despite being a crucial part of the picture.”
Prof Mitchell also drew attention to the connection between fungal pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), adding: “We know AMR is a major threat, especially with the rise of resistant bacterial infections and the overuse of antibiotics.
“But the interaction between fungi and AMR is also a key part of the issue – and is much less frequently addressed.” He warned that rising infections in unfamiliar regions could overwhelm healthcare systems.
“Changing spatial patterns of infection risk – especially when they cross borders or continents – mean that healthcare systems must be equipped to recognise and respond to these new threats,” he says. “Misdiagnosis or mistreatment is common when pathogens appear in unfamiliar regions.”
He added that future research could also examine how land use changes – such as deforestation and urban sprawl – affect fungal risk. The Wellcome Trust’s Viv Goosens said the growing threat is not just a health issue but also one of food security. “Fungal pathogens pose a serious threat to human health by causing infections and disrupting food systems.
“Climate change will make these risks worse. To address these challenges, we must fill important research gaps.” While fungi like Aspergillus pose dangers, they are also vital to the planet’s ecosystems, helping to decompose organic material and sequester carbon dioxide.
But as global warming continues, scientists are urging urgent investment in fungal disease research, drug development, and climate action to stay ahead of this invisible but deadly threat.
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