By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: Dangerous fungus could spread to parts of US, researchers claim
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Dangerous fungus could spread to parts of US, researchers claim
News

Dangerous fungus could spread to parts of US, researchers claim

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: May 6, 2025 9:24 pm
Jimmie Dempsey Published May 6, 2025
Share
SHARE

Some researchers are sounding the alarm about a potentially deadly fungus that could spread throughout parts of the U.S., Europe and Asia.

The study article, which was published in pre-print (not yet peer-reviewed) in Research Square, claims that “rising global temperatures” could lead to severe infections of Aspergillus, a fungal mold that thrives in warm, damp climates.

The resulting infection — called Aspergillosis — can impact humans, livestock and plants, the researchers wrote.

DANGEROUS FUNGUS SPREADING IN US HOSPITALS HAS ‘RAPIDLY INCREASED’

In the study, scientific models were used to predict where Aspergillus is expected to increase based on different climate scenarios.

The researchers predict that the fungus’ prevalence could increase by 77% by the year 2100, potentially exposing millions of people in Europe to the infection.

Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, was not involved in the research but reviewed the findings.

“The study indicates that some global climate change scenarios will result in changes of habitat ranges for certain lung and systemic fungal infections,” he told Fox News Digital.

RINGWORM RESISTANT TO COMMON ANTIFUNGALS FOR FIRST TIME IN US: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE SKIN INFECTION

Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine and infectious disease at Columbia University in New York, agreed that the study highlights concerns if Aspergillus becomes more prevalent in warmer climates.

“We do know that there are increased cases in regions of the world that are more temperate,” Vyas, who was not part of the study, told Fox News Digital.

“It is likely that levels of human exposure will continue to increase, as will diseases of plants, crops and animals.”

Cornelius Clancy, MD, associate chief of the VA Pittsburgh Health System and opportunistic pathogens at the University of Pittsburgh, said he has seen an increase in fungal infections in humans, as well as fungal diseases in agriculture, horticulture and veterinary medicine. 

“Given that Aspergillus is prevalent in the environment and ongoing changes in climate favor growth of Aspergillus in the environment, it is likely that levels of human exposure will continue to increase, as will diseases of plants, crops and animals,” he predicted to Fox News Digital.

Potential risks of infection

For most healthy people, Aspergillus spores won’t cause any adverse effects, the experts noted.

“Most people will typically inhale some spores every day,” Clancy said. “If your immune system is intact, then these spores are usually removed by immune system cells in the airways and lungs and disease does not occur.”

Mildew culture

But for people whose immune systems respond excessively to proteins in the spores, infection can cause reactions ranging from allergy-like symptoms to invasive disease.

“In persons who are immunosuppressed, such as those receiving cancer chemotherapy, there is a risk of spores invading the lungs and causing Aspergillus pneumonia or other lung infections, which can then spread in the blood to other organs,” Clancy cautioned. 

“These are potentially very serious infections in immunosuppressed hosts.”

Allergic reactions and asthma exacerbations can also occur in people who are not known to be immunosuppressed, but who are predisposed to allergies and asthma, he added.

Respiratory illness visits to Washington, DC hospitals rising

“In patients whose immune system may be compromised — most commonly as a result of medications for cancer or other conditions — these organisms can invade the lung to cause significant pneumonia, and may even travel throughout the body to cause systemic disease,” Vyas cautioned. 

“These patients are typically quite sick and require hospitalization.”

THE TRUTH ABOUT ‘ZOMBIE CICADAS’: ‘THE FUNGUS CAN DO SOME NEFARIOUS THINGS’

People who are elderly or have asthma are also at a higher risk, noted Glanville.

“Unfortunately, there is also a global trend toward increases in rates of asthma and general demographic shifts toward a more elderly population in many areas,” he added.

Digging soil

“As clinicians, we worry about this infection because it is both hard to diagnose and even harder to treat,” Vyas told Fox News Digital. “We don’t have great drugs to effect cures for invasive fungal infections, including Aspergillus infections.”

Another obstacle is that some fungi become resistant to drugs over time, the experts agreed.

Prevention and protection

As Aspergillus is an environmental organism associated with soil, it is difficult to fully avoid, according to Vyas.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Those who are immunocompromised should avoid working with soil unless they have had a discussion with a doctor, he recommends. 

“Research into how Aspergillus causes diseases, better ways to diagnose this disease and the development of better treatments is sorely needed,” Vyas added.

“These are potentially very serious infections in immunosuppressed hosts.”

Glanville reiterated that there are anti-fungal treatment options for Aspergillosis, although the infections are often missed during initial diagnosis.

“It would be a good idea to increase medical training to recognize these infections and to subsidize the development of new antifungals,” Glanville recommended.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

People who are known to be immunosuppressed or who are taking drugs that can cause immunosuppression should talk to their health providers about protective measures, Clancy advised.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

Princeton president vows not to cave to Trump, yet acknowledges antisemitism on campus

Halle Berry and Heidi Klum shine despite new Cannes dress code banning nudity, ‘excessively voluminous’ looks

Illegal immigrants charged in brutal murder during California home invasion, robbery

Jussie Smollett settles with Chicago after hate crime hoax conviction was overturned

Shedeur Sanders dives into relationship with fellow Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
Appeals court denies Trump admin’s request to lift limits on Los Angeles immigration raids
News

Appeals court denies Trump admin’s request to lift limits on Los Angeles immigration raids

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey August 2, 2025
WATCH: Dem senator agrees with GOP that Trump’s making progress on trade war
Bill Maher on possibility of Mamdani as New York City mayor: ‘We’ve never had someone this radical’
Ex-NBA star’s wife bitten by shark in Puerto Rico
Cambodia to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize for role in ending country’s conflict with Thailand
FBI arrests man in California for allegedly attempting to provide financial support to ISIS; explosives seized
John Cena takes subtle shots at The Rock, Travis Scott in pre-SummerSlam showdown with Cody Rhodes
News

John Cena takes subtle shots at The Rock, Travis Scott in pre-SummerSlam showdown with Cody Rhodes

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey August 2, 2025
Hot dogs spill across interstate after tractor trailer crash to clog commute for steamed motorists
News

Hot dogs spill across interstate after tractor trailer crash to clog commute for steamed motorists

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey August 2, 2025
Chiefs’ Chris Jones expresses marriage desire after messy split from longtime girlfriend
News

Chiefs’ Chris Jones expresses marriage desire after messy split from longtime girlfriend

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey August 2, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
  • Guns and Gear
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?