If you thought the scariest thing about fungi was a mouldy sandwich lurking at the back of your fridge, think again.
Scientists are sounding the alarm about a group of fungi that could, quite literally, eat you from the inside out—and Australia is firmly in their sights.
It sounds like something out of a horror film or the hit TV series The Last of Us, where a fungal infection brings civilisation to its knees.
But this is no work of fiction. According to a new study from Manchester University, the threat posed by certain types of Aspergillus fungi is all too real, and it’s growing as our planet heats up.
What’s the fuss about fungi?
Fungi are everywhere—in the air, in the soil, even inside our bodies. Most are harmless, and some are even helpful (where would we be without yeast for our bread and beer?).
But a few, like the Aspergillus group, can cause serious, sometimes fatal, infections in humans, especially those with weakened immune systems.
The Manchester University research, which used computer simulations to predict the future spread of these fungi, focused on three main culprits: Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger.
These species are already responsible for millions of infections and deaths worldwide each year. The study warns that, thanks to climate change, their reach is set to expand dramatically—including right here in Australia.
How does it work?
Fungi like Aspergillus spread by releasing microscopic spores into the air. We breathe them in every day, usually without any ill effects.
But if your immune system is compromised—say, by chemotherapy, organ transplant, or chronic lung conditions like asthma or COPD—these spores can take hold in your lungs.
Once inside, the fungus can grow, feeding on your tissues and, in the blunt words of lead researcher Dr Norman van Rhijn, ‘basically kind of eat you from the inside out’.
He explained that fungi act as natural decomposers or recyclers, efficiently breaking down organic matter like fallen leaves or dead animals.
‘They can obviously do the same to people when they come into contact. That means that people that are unable to effectively deal with the fungus through impaired immune systems or other diseases, are prone to have the fungus grow in them.’
It’s a chilling thought, but it’s also a reminder of just how important our immune systems are in keeping us safe from the invisible world around us.
Why is this happening now?
The answer, in a word: climate. The study found that as global temperatures rise, the habitats suitable for these dangerous fungi are shifting.
A. fumigatus prefers temperate climates, while A. flavus and A. niger thrive in warmer regions.
As Australia’s climate warms and becomes more humid—especially along our coasts—these fungi are expected to become more common and more dangerous.
Dr van Rhijn’s models predict that A. flavus will become more prevalent along Australia’s coastlines, moving closer to densely populated areas. The other two species are already common in these regions and are likely to remain so.
How big is the problem?
Globally, invasive fungal infections cause around 6.5 million cases and 3.8 million deaths each year. Of these, 2.5 million deaths are directly attributable to the infections themselves.
Invasive aspergillosis alone affects over 2 million people annually, with a staggering mortality rate of more than 85 per cent.
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, a long-term lung infection, affects nearly 2 million people and causes hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.
The World Health Organisation has even added Aspergillus flavus to its list of critical fungal pathogens, citing its impact on public health and its growing resistance to antifungal drugs.
Who’s most at risk?
While anyone can breathe in Aspergillus spores, the people most at risk are those with weakened immune systems. This includes:
- Organ transplant recipients
- Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
- People with chronic lung diseases (asthma, cystic fibrosis, COPD)
- The seniors, whose immune systems may be less robust
But even healthy people aren’t completely immune, especially if they’re exposed to large amounts of spores—for example, when gardening, handling compost, or cleaning up after floods or storms.
The bigger picture: Why fungi matter
Fungi don’t just threaten our health—they also impact our food systems, attacking crops and livestock. And as the climate changes, these threats are only likely to grow.
As Viv Goosens from the Wellcome Trust points out, ‘Fungal pathogens pose a serious threat to human health by causing infections and disrupting food systems. Climate change will make these risks worse. To address these challenges, we must fill important research gaps.’
What’s next?
The Manchester University study is a wake-up call. As the world warms, we need to pay more attention to the hidden dangers lurking in our environment—and that means more research, better surveillance, and greater public awareness.
What are your thoughts on the potential spread of fungal infections? Have you or someone you know ever had a fungal infection? Are you concerned about the impact of climate change on our health? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Also read: Daylight can boost the immune system’s ability to fight infections – new study
