Wildfires in Los Angeles raise concerns about spread of deadly fungi

Wildfires in Los Angeles are raising concerns about the spread of fungal spores. Scientists note that while fungi typically struggle with heat, wildfires can help disperse spores over long distances, potentially increasing the risk of fungal infections. Hospital admissions for valley fever, a common fungal infection in California, rose by 20% after wildfires from 2014 to 2018. As climate change continues, warmer temperatures may allow some fungi to adapt and become more infectious. Experts emphasize that human-to-human transmission of fungi is rare. They stress that while wildfires can facilitate the spread of fungal pathogens, the scenario depicted in "The Last of Us" is unlikely to occur.