A recent study by researchers at the University of Manchester has raised an alarm about the increasing risk of fungus infections due to climate change.

The study indicates that rising global temperature is dangerous fungi, especially helping species of aspergillus, to spread to new geographical areas, possibly risk millions and people.

Fungal infection

Researchers said that fungal infections are historically recognized in public health discussions.

However, the new study, which has not yet been reviewed by the colleague, emphasized their increasing importance. Aspergillus Fumigatus, a common mold that can cause severe respiratory infections is estimated to expand its limit to 77% by 2100 in Europe, if the current warming trends continue.

This expansion can highlight an additional nine million people for potential infections.

Similarly, Aspergillus Flaves, which is known to produce harmful afflatoxins affecting crops, can see a 16% increase in its spread, putting a million more individuals in Europe alone.

These fungi are quite dangerous for people with weak immune systems, such as chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, or people with chronic respiratory conditions.

The infection can lead to serious diseases such as aspergillosis, which can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated immediately.

Climate change as a catalyst

The study emphasizes that climate change is a major factor in the spread of these fungal pathogens.

Warm temperatures and changing environmental conditions produce more hospitality for fungi, allowing them to flourish in already inappropriate areas for their survival.

This change not only increases the risk of human infections, but also endanger global food security due to the impact on agriculture.

Challenges in diagnosis and treatment

One of the pressures highlighted by the researchers is an effective antifungal treatment and limited availability of clinical equipment.

Many fungal infections are difficult to detect quickly, and existing antifungal drugs are often less effective due to increasing resistance.

The World Health Organization has recognized Espegilas Flaves as an important public health threat due to resistance to treatment.

“We have already seen the emergence of fungi Candida Oris due to rising temperatures, but till now, we had little knowledge of how other fungi can respond to this change in environment. The fungi is relatively less research than viruses and parasites, but these maps will affect the most important areas for the future. The results will be reduced. Norman van rhinjan said.

Aspergillus is a common fungus that lives in the soil and spreads small spores through the air. We breathe in these spores every day, and for most healthy people, they do not harm them because the immune system cleans them.

But for people with lung problems such as asthma or cystic fibrosis, or weaker immune systems such as cancer patients, transplant recipients, or people recover from severe flu or covid, these spores can be dangerous.

“When the immune system cannot close them, the fungus starts growing inside the body and to blunt it, it can start eating you from inside,” Van Region told CNN.

This infection known as aspergilosis is high mortality between 20% to 40%. It is also difficult to diagnose, as it often causes symptoms such as fever and cough, which are common in many other diseases.

It is also a related trend because an increase in antifungal resistance and a severe drawback of diagnosis and treatment options for fungal infection.

Conclusions of study calls for immediate action to address the attractive threat of fungal infections from climate change.

As the planet continues to heat up, the spread of malignant fungi like the aspergillus species emerges as a growing threat to global health.