Warning Issued Over Dangerous Fungus as Rising Temperatures Enable Spread Across Europe

A potentially deadly fungus is on track to spread across more regions of Europe, posing a growing risk to human health, according to recent climate change research, the Independent reports.

The fungus, Aspergillus, which can lead to severe lung and breathing issues, is expected to infect millions of people each year as warmer temperatures help it expand into northern parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Aspergillus is a type of mould that thrives in various environments, including homes, and is known for its ability to survive in warmer temperatures. The research highlights that the rise in fungal pathogens, such as Aspergillus, is becoming a significant concern worldwide, with such infections contributing to millions of deaths annually.

Norman van Rhijn, a research fellow at Manchester University and co-author of the study, explained that the world is approaching a tipping point in the spread of these fungi. He noted that climate change will cause significant shifts in the geographic distribution of various species, including fungi, which will affect both human health and the ecosystems they inhabit.

“Aspergillus is an opportunistic pathogen,” Mr. van Rhijn explained. “While not everyone who is exposed to its spores becomes ill, those with weakened immune systems, asthma, or other lung conditions are particularly vulnerable.”

The disease it causes, called aspergillosis, can spread from the lungs to other organs and can be fatal for susceptible individuals.

The study predicts that by 2100, the Aspergillus fumigatus fungus could spread across 77% more territory, significantly increasing exposure, particularly in Europe. In total, the infection could affect up to nine million people in the region due to warmer, more hospitable conditions for the fungus, which thrives in the human body’s internal temperature of 37°C.

While Aspergillus has beneficial uses in industry—such as in the fermentation of soy sauce and sake—the rising threat to human health cannot be ignored. Professor Elaine Bignell, co-director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at Exeter University, explained that the fungus’ adaptation to the human body’s warmth may have contributed to its ability to cause disease.

In addition to Aspergillus fumigatus, another species, Aspergillus flavus, is likely to spread over additional areas such as North China, Russia, Scandinavia, and Alaska. This fungus thrives on crops and poses a serious risk to food security, with the potential to affect local agriculture and ecosystems, especially in parts of Africa and Brazil.

Darius Armstrong-James, a professor at Imperial College London, emphasized the dual threat posed by Aspergillus:

“This organism presents serious risks to both human health and food security,” he said.