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ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS, A DEADLY FUNGUS RESPONSIBLE FOR MILLIONS OF DEATHS WORLDWIDE, IS ON THE MOVE AND COULD BE HEADING FOR EUROPE AND THE US, ACCORDING TO SCIENTISTS 04:27, 26 May 2025 A
deadly fungus that can eat you from the inside out is spreading across the globe, and experts warn it could soon reach the UK. The fungus, known as Aspergillus fumigatus, causes a deadly
disease called aspergillosis. It infects the lungs and can spread to the brain, leading to severe illness or death. The World Health Organization has warned that the fungus is a major public
health threat. Eerily similar to the plot of the popular video game TV series adaptation The Last of Us – a post-apocalyptic story about survival in a world ravaged by a fungal infection –
the fungi could soon spread across North America, Europe, China and Russia. Invasive aspergillosis has a mortality rate of 85.2 per cent, and in 2022, the World Health Organization added
Aspergillus flavus to its critical group of fungal pathogens due to its public health impact and antifungal resistance risk. A new study from the University of Manchester used super computer
predictions which said that Aspergillus fumigatus could spread to 77% more territory by 2100, potentially exposing millions more people to infection. The fungus is difficult to detect and
resistant to treatment. It thrives in warm, humid environments and can be found in compost heaps, decaying organic matter, and even in the air we breathe. The new Manchester University study
, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, studied three pathogenic Aspergillus species: A. fumigates, A. flavus, and A. niger, under different climate scenarios. “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,” lead author of the research Norman
van Rhijn told news.com.au. Experts are urging the public to take precautions to protect themselves from the fungus. People with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing
chemotherapy or with chronic illnesses, are particularly at risk. If you experience symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to preventing serious illness or death. Although fungi are common, most are unknown to scientists and some can have a devastating impact. Globally,
there are 6.5 million invasive fungal infections a year, associated with approximately 3.8 million mortalities. Of those deaths, 2.5 million are directly attributable to these infections,
according to the International Society for Infectious Diseases . “Fungal pathogens pose a serious threat to human health by causing infections and disrupting food systems.” Viv Goosens,
research manager at Wellcome Trust, which funded the research, told Sky News. “Climate change will make these risks worse. To address these challenges, we must fill important research gaps.”
Article continues below Climate change is making the fungus more widespread. As temperatures rise, the fungus is moving into new areas, including Europe and the UK. Leading scientists are
urgently alerting us that this fungus is already responsible for millions of fatalities in the global South and is now advancing towards Europe and the US. _FOR THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND
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