Researchers Warn of Threat from Deadly Fungal Spread Driven by Climate Change
Pathogenic fungi have become a growing concern for scientists worldwide. Recent research shows that several types of dangerous fungi could spread more widely due to climate change, rising global temperatures, and intensive use of fungicides in the agricultural sector.
Humans inhale hundreds of microscopic fungal spores suspended in the air daily. Most of these spores are harmless and have no impact on the human body. However, others come from fungal species capable of causing serious infections, damaging food crops, and disrupting ecosystem balance.
While most fungi play an important role as natural decomposers in the environment, some species can become pathogens that attack humans, animals, and plants. Under certain conditions, these fungi can cause significant impacts, ranging from health disorders to substantial economic losses.
Research conducted by Dr. Norman van Rhijn and his team from The University of Manchester, England, attempted to map the potential spread of several dangerous fungal species through the end of this century. They investigated three species of Aspergillus fungi: A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and A. niger.
Using global climate models, the researchers projected how changes in temperature, humidity, and extreme weather could affect the spread of fungal spores. In one scenario depicting a future with high carbon emissions, several regions in Europe are estimated to become increasingly suitable habitats for these fungi.
The modelling results show that the distribution area of Aspergillus flavus in Europe could increase by approximately 16%. This condition could potentially add around one million people at risk of exposure to infection.
Meanwhile, Aspergillus fumigatus, known as the primary cause of invasive aspergillosis, is estimated to expand its distribution area by up to 77.5% in Europe. If this projection occurs, up to nine million additional people could be at risk of infection.
Interestingly, the impact of climate change on fungi does not always manifest uniformly across regions. In some parts of Africa, increasingly hot temperatures are estimated to become too extreme for certain fungal species to survive.
Infection from Aspergillus fungi can cause serious illness in humans, especially in those with weakened immune systems. Patients with drug-resistant infections have mortality rates exceeding 50%.
Another problem emerges from the use of azole fungicides in the agricultural sector. These chemicals are used to protect crops such as wheat and peanuts from fungal attack. However, antifungal drugs used in medicine have nearly similar chemical structures.
This similarity can encourage fungi to develop resistance to medications, similar to how bacteria become immune to antibiotics. As a result, fungal infections in humans become increasingly difficult to treat.
The impact is felt not only in the health sector. The growth of fungi such as Aspergillus can also contaminate harvests with dangerous mycotoxins. In the United States, for example, a single season with high fungal growth can cause losses exceeding one billion dollars to the corn industry.
Despite the growing threat, research on fungi remains relatively limited compared to viruses or bacteria. Scientists estimate there are approximately 1.5 to 3.8 million fungal species in the world. However, fewer than 10% have been formally described.
This data limitation makes the development of new vaccines and antifungal drugs slower.
The World Health Organisation has even included several types of pathogenic fungi, including Aspergillus and Candida, on a list of priority pathogens requiring global monitoring.
Researchers are now pushing for more integrated monitoring efforts, ranging from air quality surveillance, sampling in the agricultural sector, to hospital monitoring. Such steps are expected to help detect the spread of dangerous fungi earlier.
Additionally, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, more prudent use of fungicides, and development of new antifungal drugs are also considered important for curtailing this threat. Without such measures, fungi that have long been known only as natural decomposers could potentially develop into a global health threat in the future.