Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO
The HBO series "The Last of Us" features a "zombie fungus" that infects and controls its hosts. Although this concept is rooted in fiction, it draws inspiration from real-life fungi.
Credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO
The "zombie fungus" in the show is based on cordyceps, a real type of fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine. Cordyceps primarily infects insects rather than humans.
Cordyceps infects insects such as ants by manipulating their behaviour. The fungus directs its host to a humid environment ideal for its growth, where the insect ultimately dies, and the fungus releases spores to infect more hosts.
While cordyceps does not pose a threat to humans, the possibility of such fungi infecting humans is considered extremely unlikely. The human immune system and higher body temperature protect against such infections.
Historical cases such as ergot poisoning, known as "St. Anthony's Fire," have shown that some fungi can cause severe health issues. However, these occurrences are rare and usually involve contamination of food.
Credit: World History Encyclopedia
Fungal infections affect millions globally, with over 150 million severe cases and 1.7 million deaths annually. They commonly impact individuals with preexisting health conditions, such as those with asthma or AIDS.
Fungal diseases receive less than 1.5% of infectious disease research funding, despite their significant impact. This underfunding is a concern among experts, given the high mortality rates associated with severe fungal infections.
The risk of a global pandemic caused by a fungal infection is low compared to viruses like COVID-19. Fungi generally spread less easily and quickly, and effective antifungal medications are available.
Although a "zombie fungus" apocalypse is unlikely, climate change can influence fungal diseases. Global warming affects ecosystems and can potentially increase the prevalence of certain fungal infections as habitats and species interactions shift.