The deadly fungus that melts the brain is spreading – and no one knows why

The CDC warns of a sharp rise in infections from a rare and deadly fungus, Cladophialophora Bantiana, which attacks the brain. The mortality rate reaches up to 70%, and about half of those infected were completely healthy individuals. The cause of the increase is unknown, but researchers suspect a link to climate change.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns of a sharp increase in infections from a rare and deadly fungus, Cladophialophora Bantiana. The fungus, found in soil, attacks the brain, causing abscesses, swelling, and neurological symptoms such as vision problems and memory loss. The mortality rate from the infection reaches up to 70% of diagnosed cases, and treatment is considered complex. Official data indicate a fourfold jump in the number of cases in the last two years in the U.S. A concerning finding is that about half of those infected were completely healthy individuals, not just those with weakened immune systems. Experts estimate that the actual numbers are higher due to the lack of a proper surveillance system. The cause of the increase remains a mystery, but researchers suspect a link to climate change, which allows fungi to thrive in new environments. Previously considered a tropical infection, it is now recognized as a global threat.