This killer fungus can eat humans from the inside out

Updated June 6, 2025, 5:35 a.m. | By East Coast Breakfast

Forget Covid - this killer fungus might be humanity’s next apocalypse boss fight. Here’s why scientists are officially worried.

Aspergillus Fungi — Aspergillus Fumigatus / Facebook

Just when we thought we were done prepping for the apocalypse after COVID-19… here comes nature with another plot twist.

This time, it’s fungi. Yes - mushrooms, mould, and the stuff you scrape off old bread are apparently not as innocent as we thought.

Scientists at Manchester University are raising the alarm about a group of fungi called ‘Aspergillus’.

These are tiny airborne spores that most of us breathe in every day without even knowing it.

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Usually, your immune system kicks them out like an unwanted guest at a party.

However, for people with lung conditions, weak immune systems, or anyone still recovering from a nasty flu or COVID, this fungus can get comfy, move in, and start causing serious problems from the inside out.

No, this isn’t a sci-fi movie plot. Wait… actually - it kind of is.

If you’ve watched The Last of Us, you’ll know exactly where this is going.

Fungi taking over, humans turning into mindless zombies… sound familiar?

While Aspergillus won’t turn you into a fungus-brained zombie (yet), it can cause a deadly lung disease called aspergillosis, with survival rates hovering between 20% and 40%.

It’s hard to spot, tricky to treat, and getting tougher because some strains don’t respond to any form of medication.

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Here’s the part that makes things extra spicy: thanks to global warming, this fungus is about to pack its bags and start expanding its territory.

According to CNN, as the planet heats up, certain species of Aspergillus could spread to new places like North America, China, Russia, and even parts of Europe that have never had to deal with it before.

One species in particular, Aspergillus flavus, prefers hotter, tropical weather.

If we keep burning fossil fuels like we are now, it could increase its range by 16%.

Another species, Aspergillus fumigatus, likes cooler, temperate climates but is expected to creep closer to the North Pole as temperatures rise, possibly threatening millions more people.

Not only is this a health problem, it’s also a food problem. These fungi don’t just munch on humans; they attack food crops too, putting extra pressure on global food supplies.

So, do we really need to brace for another potential pandemic? Honestly… maybe.

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While fungi have flown under the radar compared to viruses and bacteria, experts say it’s time we paid attention.

Climate change isn’t just making summers hotter and ice caps melt, it’s creating the perfect conditions for these deadly spores to thrive.

The good news is most healthy people won’t be affected right now.

Although with fungi becoming tougher and harder to treat, and no solid data on where it’s lurking, it’s one more thing on the growing list of “things to worry about” list for humanity.

So - keep your immune system happy, stay informed, and maybe don’t joke about mushroom zombies too loudly.

Nature’s got a weird sense of humour.