Deadly Fungus on the Rise, Study Cautions

Dubela, Satrajit Das: A new study has cautioned that a dangerous fungus called Aspergillus could spread widely across Asia, Europe and the Americas by the year 2100, putting millions of lives at risk. This fungus grows well in warm and damp places and mainly affects people with weak immune systems or lung problems like asthma and cystic fibrosis. Experts say that rising global temperatures could help the fungus spread faster, especially Aspergillus Fumigatus, which might expand its reach by 77% in the next 75 years.

Scientists also pointed out that this type of fungus is tough and it can survive in high heat and even inside the human body. It grows quickly in hot places like compost piles, making it more dangerous as temperature rise. The bigger problem is that not much researches have been done on fungi and very few fungal medicines exists because drug companies don’t find them profitable. Without more focus and funding, millions could be at serious health risk if this fungus keeps spreading.