Why Dangerous Fungi Are on the Rise
Dangerous molds and yeasts are proliferating in the U.S. and beyond, taking advantage of our warming world—and our warm bodies.
In 2015, Dr. Tom Chiller, a CDC expert, received alarming news from British officials about a new and dangerous fungus causing deadly infections in a London hospital. The fungus, Candida auris, appeared to spread rapidly among patients and was resistant to antifungal treatments. The British officials shut down parts of the hospital to contain the outbreak, which puzzled Chiller given Candida's typical behavior as a common yeast causing less severe infections.
First identified in 2009 in Japan, Candida auris has since become a global health concern, spreading to 80+ countries, causing tens of thousands of infections worldwide, and having a 60% mortality rate. This rise in Candida auris infections highlights a troubling trend of dangerous fungi adapting to human activity and environmental changes.
Warmer global temperatures, overuse of antifungals, and shifting geographical ranges are creating new opportunities for these pathogens to infect humans. As the climate warms, more fungi are evolving to tolerate higher temperatures and saltier environments, expanding their ability to infect people. Fungi have always been part of our environment, but their ability to cause disease is increasing, driven by our actions.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
