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last mo.

Warming climates expand reach of deadly Aspergillus fungi

Researchers warn hotter climates will extend fungal habitats into regions unprepared for severe infections.

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Aspergillus, which is classified as a common group of fungi, can cause life-threatening diseases in humans, and severe infections in livestock and plants.
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Overview

  • MaxEnt models project that Aspergillus fumigatus could expand its European range by up to 77% by 2100, potentially exposing nine million more individuals to life-threatening respiratory infections.
  • Aspergillus flavus is projected to spread by 16% under high fossil fuel emissions, raising risks of aflatoxin contamination that threatens both human health and food security.
  • Current estimates attribute 2.5 million deaths annually to fungal infections, with invasive aspergillosis carrying a mortality rate between 20% and 40%, and certain A. fumigatus strains reaching up to 85% fatality.
  • Diagnostic and treatment options remain limited and under-researched compared to viral and parasitic diseases, complicating efforts to detect and manage emerging Aspergillus outbreaks.
  • The World Health Organization designated A. flavus as a critical fungal pathogen in 2022, underscoring calls for enhanced surveillance and climate-adapted healthcare strategies.