Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Scientists are warning of a widening spread of the Aspergillus fungus, a trend they attribute to increasingly extreme climate change driven by global warming.
Aspergillus is a type of mold that can cause infections in the lungs and respiratory system. Its spores can enter the body through the air, leading to a condition called aspergillosis.
Infections from the fungus pose a risk to individuals with weakened immune systems, asthma, or cystic fibrosis.
The fungus thrives in warmer temperatures, allowing it to survive within the human body at 37 degrees Celsius. Its natural lifestyle, according to Elaine Bignell of the University of Exeter, enables it to enter human lungs.
A study from Manchester University revealed the fungus has spread widely across Europe, and Asia. Researcher Norman van Rhijn stated that the world is at a critical point in facing an increase in fungal pathogens, and fungal infections could cause millions of deaths globally.
“We are talking about hundreds of thousands of lives, and a continental shift in the distribution of species. In the next 50 years, where different species grow and the types of infections we face will change completely,” Rhijn said, quoted in the Financial Times, Monday (March 9, 2026).
The Independent reported that Aspergillus could expand into 77% more territory by 2100, driven by global warming from fossil fuel use.
This expansion could position at least nine million people in Europe at risk of deadly infection.
In Asia, the spread of the fungus is predicted to increase significantly in northern regions like northern China, Russia, and Scandinavia, as well as Alaska.
Aspergillus flavus as well carries a risk of spreading to 16% new areas. This species grows on food crops.
Its spread poses a serious threat to food security and ecosystems worldwide. This growing threat highlights the intersection of climate change and public health, as shifting environmental conditions create opportunities for infectious diseases to emerge and expand their reach.
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