Latest news with #Aspergillusflavus
News18
26-05-2025
- Health
- News18
WHO Warns Of Aspergillus Fumigatus: Deadly Fungus With 85% Fatality, May Spread To 77% More Areas By 2100
Last Updated: In 2022, WHO listed Aspergillus flavus as a critical fungal threat. As per a Daily Star report, it is drug-resistant and nearly incurable, posing serious health risks A fresh wave of Covid-19 is once again sweeping across parts of the world, with a steady uptick in cases. Amid growing health concerns, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded an alarm over a new threat — a potentially more lethal fungal infection. The fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, which causes the disease aspergillosis, primarily affects the lungs and, in severe cases, can spread to the brain. Health experts warn that the infection can prove fatal, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems. Experts have warned that Aspergillus fumigatus could soon reach Britain, posing a significant threat to public health. The WHO has classified this fungus as a major public health concern, fearing its spread to North America, Europe, China and Russia. The danger of Aspergillus fumigatus is underscored by its high mortality rate of 85.2% for invasive aspergillosis. In 2022, the WHO added Aspergillus flavus to its list of critical fungal pathogens. According to a report by the Daily Star, this fungus is not only a health threat but also resistant to drugs, making it nearly incurable. A study by Manchester University, utilising a supercomputer, predicts that Aspergillus fumigatus could spread to 77% more areas by 2100, endangering millions. The fungus thrives in warm, moist environments such as compost heaps, decaying organic matter, and even the air, making it difficult to identify and treat. Norman van Rijn, the lead author of the Manchester University study, noted that fungi have received less research attention compared to viruses and parasites. However, their maps indicate that fungal infections could become a global issue in the future. First Published: May 26, 2025, 16:52 IST
India Today
26-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Fungus that could eat you from inside out spreads faster amid climate change
A recent study by researchers at the University of Manchester has raised alarms about the increasing threat of fungal infections due to climate study indicates that rising global temperatures are helping dangerous fungi, particularly species of Aspergillus, to spread into new geographic areas, potentially putting millions more people at INFECTIONS ON THE RISE Fungal infections have historically been under-recognised in public health discussions, said the the new study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, stressed their growing significance. Aspergillus fumigatus, a common mold that can cause severe respiratory infections, is projected to expand its range by up to 77% in Europe by 2100 if current warming trends expansion could expose an additional nine million people to potential Aspergillus flavus, known for producing harmful aflatoxins affecting crops, could see a 16% increase in its spread, putting one million more individuals at risk in Europe fungi are quite dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, or people with chronic respiratory can lead to serious illnesses like aspergillosis, which, if not promptly diagnosed and treated, can be CHANGE AS A CATALYSTadvertisementThe study emphasises that climate change is a prominent factor in the proliferation of these fungal pathogens. Infections can lead to serious illnesses like aspergillosis, which, if not promptly diagnosed and treated, can be fatal. () Warmer temperatures and changing environmental conditions create more hospitable habitats for fungi, allowing them to thrive in regions previously unsuitable for their shift not only increases the risk of human infections but also threatens global food security due to the impact on IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTOne of the pressing concerns highlighted by the researchers is the limited availability of effective antifungal treatments and diagnostic fungal infections are difficult to detect early, and the existing antifungal medications are often less effective due to rising World Health Organisation has recognised Aspergillus flavus as a critical public health threat because of its resistance to treatment."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. Fungi are relatively under-researched compared to viruses and parasites, but these maps show that fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future. Raising awareness and developing effective interventions for fungal pathogens will be essential to mitigate the consequences of this," said Dr. Norman van Rhijn. The World Health Organisation has recognised Aspergillus flavus as a critical public health threat because of its resistance to treatment. () Aspergillus is a common fungus that lives in soil and spreads tiny spores through the air. We breathe in these spores every day, and for most healthy people, they don't cause any harm because the immune system clears them for people with lung problems like asthma or cystic fibrosis, or those with weak immune systems such as cancer patients, transplant recipients, or those recovering from severe flu or Covid, these spores can be dangerous.'When the immune system can't fight them off, the fungus begins to grow inside the body and, to put it bluntly, it can start eating you from the inside out,' van Rijn told infection, known as aspergillosis, has a high death rate between 20% to 40%. It's also hard to diagnose, since it often causes symptoms like fever and cough, which are common in many other is also a concerning trend since there's a rise in antifungal resistance and a severe lack of diagnostics and treatment options for fungal findings of the study call for urgent action to address the looming threat of fungal infections exacerbated by climate the planet continues to warm, the spread of deadly fungi like Aspergillus species emerges as a growing threat to global Watch
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Toxic Fungi Could Threaten Millions of Lives Within 15 Years
Here's what you'll learn in this story: A new study analyzing different climate scenarios discovered that toxic fungi will likely spread into new areas in the future, possibly threatening millions. Life-sustaining fungi that break down plant and animal matter could also be at risk of extinction in some of the warmest regions of the Earth—particularly on the African continent. It's estimated that scientists have only cataloged about 10 percent of all fungi on Earth, so unknown surprises would likely be in store as fungi spread beyond their historic regions. When writing about climate, lots of ink—or pixels, in a 21st-century context—is spent talking about the potentially devastating impacts that climate change will have on plant and animal life. However, little is mentioned about the kingdom Fungi. Hundreds of thousands of species of fungi have been described, but that's likely only 10 percent of the total number of fungal species that exist on Earth. These species include everyone's delicious favorites, but also some more dangerous species that can cause toxic infections in animals and agricultural crops. So, in a new study from the University of Manchester, scientists asked the question of what rising global temperatures could mean for the proliferation of some of these meaner mycelia. In a paper published on the preprint platform ResearchSquare, Norman van Rhijn, the lead author of the study, and his team describe what our fungal future has in store. 'Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread,' van Rhign said in a press statement. '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.' The researchers analyzed the effects of rising temperatures on infection-causing fungi using different climate scenarios up to the year 2100. The study showed that within 15 years, if the world still relies on mostly fossil fuels instead of clean energy, fungi like Aspergillus flavus—a cause of agricultural rot that also produces mycotoxins that are harmful to mammals—will spread by 16 percent, which would put an additional 1 million people at risk of infection in Europe alone. This is largely because A. flavus is more thermotolerant than other fungi, meaning that it can thrive in hot, humid climates where other fungi simply could not. Unfortunately, this proliferation is relatively tame compared to Aspergillus fumigatus, which would increase its range by 77.5 percent and put an additional nine million people in Europe at risk under this worst-case scenario. While described as a weak pathogen in previous studies, A. fumigatus can cause a severe or even fatal infection for people with immune deficiencies. 'Fungi are relatively under researched compared to viruses and parasites, but these maps show that fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future,' van Rhign said in a press statement. 'Raising awareness and developing effective interventions for fungal pathogens will be essential to mitigate the consequences of this.' While the spread of these toxic fungi—whose infections are hard to avoid, as they mostly travel in the air we breathe— the inverse may also be a cause for concern. Some life-sustaining fungi, responsible for breaking down plant and animal matter, may not be able to survive in some of the hottest parts of the world (especially on the African continent). It's basically a one-two punch of bad news. Additionally, the study only examined the roughly 10 percent of the fungi we know about, so even more infections or health concerns could arise from surprising sources currently unknown to us. Though it has yet to be peer-reviewed, the paper details compelling evidence that our fungal future is a dismal one unless we seriously curtail carbon emissions in the coming years. Transitioning to a clean energy future is the best path forward—for all of the plants, animals, and overlooked fungus among us. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Economic Times
25-05-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Zombie Apocalypse? The fungus that eats you alive is coming, and climate change just gave it a passport
Global warming is exacerbating the threat of deadly fungal infections, particularly those caused by Aspergillus species. A recent study reveals that climate change enables these fungi to colonize new regions, potentially exposing millions more people to life-threatening diseases like aspergillosis. The increasing prevalence of these infections is compounded by limited antifungal treatments and diagnostic challenges. Aspergillus fungi, found in soil and air, are spreading fast as the planet heats up putting millions more at risk of deadly lung infections once only seen in vulnerable patients Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Fungal infections are spreading across the world Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Agriculture also affected FAQs Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads There are several movies on zombies and how they turn into vicious monsters. It seems such a moment is coming soon due to global warming . Scientists are sounding the alarm over the expanding threat of deadly fungal infections , as global temperatures rise, particularly those caused by the Aspergillus species.A recent study from the University of Manchester reveals that climate change is enabling these fungi to colonize new regions, potentially exposing millions more people to life-threatening fungi are ubiquitous in the environment, commonly found in soil, compost, and water. While most people inhale their spores daily without consequence, individuals with compromised immune systems or existing lung conditions face significant can escalate into aspergillosis, a severe disease primarily affecting the lungs, with mortality rates ranging from 20 percent to 40 study projects that Aspergillus fumigatus, which thrives in temperate climates, could expand its range by 77.5 percent by 2100, potentially exposing an additional 9 million people in Europe alone. Similarly, Aspergillus flavus, which favors hotter, tropical climates, is expected to increase its spread by 16 percent, affecting parts of North America, northern China, and fungi are not only a threat to human health but also to agriculture. A. flavus produces aflatoxins, toxic compounds that contaminate crops like maize and peanuts, posing a significant risk to food security The World Health Organization recognized the severity of these threats by adding both A. fumigatus and A. flavus to its list of critical fungal pathogens in 2022, citing their public health impact and emerging antifungal resistance .Norman van Rhijn, a researcher at the University of Manchester and co-author of the study, emphasized the urgency of the situation: "Fungi are relatively under-researched compared to viruses and parasites, but these maps show that fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future."The increasing prevalence of these infections is compounded by the limited availability of antifungal treatments. Currently, there are only four classes of antifungal medications, and resistance is on the rise. Moreover, diagnosing fungal infections remains challenging, often leading to delayed treatment and higher mortality Bignell, co-director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, who was not involved in the study, highlighted the broader implications: "The new Aspergillus study rightfully shines a light on the threat of fungi that dwell in our natural environment and how under-prepared we are to cope with shifts in their prevalence."Public awareness and proactive measures are essential to mitigate the impact of these silent but deadly is a type of common fungus found in soil, dust, and decaying plants. Most people inhale its spores daily without harm, but those with weakened immune systems or lung conditions (like asthma, COPD, or after severe flu/COVID-19) can develop a serious infection called aspergillosis, which attacks the lungs and can spread throughout the can be life-threatening, especially in vulnerable patients. The mortality rate ranges from 20 percent to 40 percent, partly due to difficulty diagnosing it early and growing resistance to antifungal global temperatures are expanding the habitats where dangerous species like Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus can survive and thrive. These fungi are now projected to spread into parts of North America, Europe, China, and Russia, putting millions more at risk.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Zombie Apocalypse? The fungus that eats you alive is coming, and climate change just gave it a passport
There are several movies on zombies and how they turn into vicious monsters. It seems such a moment is coming soon due to global warming . Scientists are sounding the alarm over the expanding threat of deadly fungal infections , as global temperatures rise, particularly those caused by the Aspergillus species. A recent study from the University of Manchester reveals that climate change is enabling these fungi to colonize new regions, potentially exposing millions more people to life-threatening diseases. Fungal infections are spreading across the world by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo Aspergillus fungi are ubiquitous in the environment, commonly found in soil, compost, and water. While most people inhale their spores daily without consequence, individuals with compromised immune systems or existing lung conditions face significant risks. Infections can escalate into aspergillosis, a severe disease primarily affecting the lungs, with mortality rates ranging from 20 percent to 40 percent. Live Events The study projects that Aspergillus fumigatus, which thrives in temperate climates, could expand its range by 77.5 percent by 2100, potentially exposing an additional 9 million people in Europe alone. Similarly, Aspergillus flavus , which favors hotter, tropical climates, is expected to increase its spread by 16 percent, affecting parts of North America, northern China, and Russia. Agriculture also affected These fungi are not only a threat to human health but also to agriculture. A. flavus produces aflatoxins, toxic compounds that contaminate crops like maize and peanuts, posing a significant risk to food security . The World Health Organization recognized the severity of these threats by adding both A. fumigatus and A. flavus to its list of critical fungal pathogens in 2022, citing their public health impact and emerging antifungal resistance . Norman van Rhijn, a researcher at the University of Manchester and co-author of the study, emphasized the urgency of the situation: "Fungi are relatively under-researched compared to viruses and parasites, but these maps show that fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future." The increasing prevalence of these infections is compounded by the limited availability of antifungal treatments. Currently, there are only four classes of antifungal medications, and resistance is on the rise. Moreover, diagnosing fungal infections remains challenging, often leading to delayed treatment and higher mortality rates. Elaine Bignell, co-director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, who was not involved in the study, highlighted the broader implications: "The new Aspergillus study rightfully shines a light on the threat of fungi that dwell in our natural environment and how under-prepared we are to cope with shifts in their prevalence." Public awareness and proactive measures are essential to mitigate the impact of these silent but deadly pathogens. FAQs What is Aspergillus? Aspergillus is a type of common fungus found in soil, dust, and decaying plants. Most people inhale its spores daily without harm, but those with weakened immune systems or lung conditions (like asthma, COPD, or after severe flu/COVID-19) can develop a serious infection called aspergillosis, which attacks the lungs and can spread throughout the body. How deadly is aspergillosis? Aspergillosis can be life-threatening, especially in vulnerable patients. The mortality rate ranges from 20 percent to 40 percent, partly due to difficulty diagnosing it early and growing resistance to antifungal drugs. Why is climate change making this worse? Warming global temperatures are expanding the habitats where dangerous species like Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus can survive and thrive. These fungi are now projected to spread into parts of North America, Europe, China, and Russia, putting millions more at risk.
