This Fungus Could Kill Millions. It's Coming to Europe

One of the most serious threats is Aspergillus fumigatus – a seemingly harmless microorganism that is already responsible for millions of deaths in the countries of the Global South. Experts warn that this fungus is now heading towards continents with a moderate climate, including Europe and North America. Will it also reach Poland?

Silent killer in the air

If Aspergillus spores enter the human body, they can cause aspergillosis, a serious lung disease that, in immunocompromised people, quickly attacks other organs, including the brain.

Molds and fungi together are responsible for about 3.2 million deaths per year. The main difficulty is that fungal infections are often difficult to detect and properly diagnose, making treatment difficult.

Currently, the greatest fungal threat concerns Asia and Africa, where the warm and humid climate favors the development of these microorganisms. However, the increase in global temperatures means that the zone of occurrence of these fungi is expanding, encompassing new areas, including European countries.

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More and more cases

According to forecasts quoted by the Financial Times, up to 9 million Europeans could be infected with dangerous fungi in the coming years.

However, this is not the only threat. Experts are also sounding the alarm about another dangerous fungus – Aspergillus flavus, which infects crops and produces aflatoxins – one of the most toxic compounds found in nature.

Aflatoxins are often found in foods such as corn, rice, nuts, spices, and grains. Once they get into food, they cannot be neutralized by any culinary process. Their consumption can lead to serious liver damage and even cancer. twitter Also read: May mushroom boom. In these places, they grow like crazy Also read: Here are the 3 most dangerous mushrooms. They cause liver and kidney failure and death