Could The Zombie Fungus From ‘The Last of Us’ Infect People In The Real World? Here’s What Science Says

The hit TV series, ‘The Last of Us’, has captured the world’s imagination with its terrifying story of a zombie apocalypse caused by a mind-controlling fungus. In the show, a mutated fungus called Cordyceps infects humans, turning them into aggressive, zombie-like creatures. The series is inspired by a real fungus, Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, known as the "zombie-ant fungus," which takes over the bodies and brains of ants in the wild. Scientists warn that a fatal fungus, similar to the one in the show, could spread worldwide as climate change warms the planet. This has led many fans to wonder: could a zombie fungus like this ever infect people in real life?

What Is Aspergillus and Why Is It Dangerous?

Aspergillus is a mould found in soil, air, and even inside homes. Most people breathe in its spores daily without getting sick. But for those with health problems, the fungus can cause a lung disease called aspergillosis. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls Aspergillus fumigatus the leading cause of invasive mould infections in people, with a death rate as high as 33% for those infected.

What’s even more worrying is that some types of Aspergillus are resistant to current treatments, making infections harder to cure. The fungus also grows “astonishingly quickly” in warm, humid conditions, and scientists say rising global temperatures are helping it spread faster and farther than ever before.

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How Climate Change Is Fueling the Spread

Recent studies from the University of Manchester show that as the world gets warmer, the environments where Aspergillus thrives are expanding. By 2100, Aspergillus fumigatus could cover 77% more territory, potentially exposing millions more people to infection. The fungus is expected to spread from Africa and South America into Europe, Asia, and even the U.S., putting more people at risk.

What Makes This Fungus So Hard to Fight?

Fungal infections are already a growing health concern, killing about 1.5 million people each year worldwide. There are few effective antifungal medicines, and many fungi, including Aspergillus, are becoming more drug-resistant and harder to diagnose. The fungus can also harm livestock and crops, threatening food supplies along with human health.

Should We Worry About a Real-Life ‘Last of Us’?

While the zombie fungus can’t infect humans, other fungi can cause serious health problems. For example, Candida auris is a dangerous fungus that has recently spread around the world, causing severe infections in hospitals. Fungal infections are becoming more common, especially in people with weakened immune systems. But these fungi do not control behaviour or turn people into zombies. 

While Aspergillus won’t turn people into zombies like in the show, it is a serious and growing threat. Experts warn that climate change will only make things worse, creating more places for dangerous fungi to thrive and spread. Protecting public health will require more research, better treatments, and urgent action to slow global warming.

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Conclusion

‘The Last of Us’ is a thrilling show that mixes real science with fiction. It does a good job of showing how climate change could make fungal threats more common. As the climate changes, some fungi are adapting to survive in warmer temperatures, and this could make fungal infections in humans more common in the future. For now, there’s no need to worry about a zombie apocalypse, but staying informed about real fungal risks is always wise.