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As the acclaimed HBO series “The Last of Us” gears up for its highly anticipated Season 2 premiere on April 13, viewers remain transfixed by the terrifying notion of a fungal pandemic that transforms humans into zombie-like beings. This renewed interest prompts a crucial question: How much of this chilling narrative is actually grounded in scientific plausibility concerning zombie fungus and climate change?
The Science Inspiring “The Last of Us” Fungal Pandemic
While the concept of fungiEngineered evolution triggering a zombie-like state in humans might seem like pure fiction, the exploration of fungal infections and their potential threats is a serious area of study for scientists. Researchers are actively investigating the complex interplay between fungal evolution, climate change, and the various risks fungi pose to different species, including humans.
A scene from the HBO series
Cordyceps and Human Infection: Separating Fact from Fiction
The narrative of “The Last of Us” centers around cordyceps, a real-world fungus known to infect insects. The show posits that due to escalating global temperatures, this fungus evolves into a dangerous pathogen capable of infecting humans. In actuality, the “zombie-ant fungus,” scientifically termed Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, is a parasitic fungus with the capacity to infect and manipulate the behavior of carpenter ants, inevitably causing their demise.
According to Dr. Jim Kronstad, a microbiologist at the University of British Columbia, the scenario of cordyceps fungi transitioning from insect hosts to human infection is highly improbable. He explains that the physiological conditions of the human body, including our core temperature and immune system, present significant barriers for most fungal species. These defenses typically prevent fungi from adapting to and thriving within the human body, as they generally cannot survive temperatures exceeding 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the initial season of the television adaptation, based on the 2013 namesake video game, cordyceps zombies were depicted using tendrils to transmit the infection to humans. However, Season 2 suggests an evolution in the transmission method, indicating that the zombies can now spread the fungal infection through airborne spores.
“That depiction,” Kronstad noted, “aligns more closely with the common pathways through which humans contract fungal infections,” referencing the airborne spore transmission.
Climate Change: A Catalyst for Fungal Adaptation?
The series’ opening scene features a 1968 epidemiologist who theorizes that climate change could instigate a fungal outbreak, potentially leading to a zombie apocalypse. This fictional warning mirrors growing concerns among contemporary scientists, who are increasingly worried that a warming global climate is elevating the risk of fungal infections in humans.
As temperatures continue to climb, certain fungi might undergo adaptation to endure in warmer environments. This potential adaptation could enhance their ability to infect human hosts.
Valley Fever: A Real-World Example of Climate-Driven Fungal Spread
A pertinent real-world illustration of climate change contributing to the increased prevalence of fungi is Valley fever. This illness is triggered by the Coccidioides fungus, a pathogen that flourishes in hot, arid regions such as the southwestern United States. Spores from this fungus are released when soil is disturbed and can be inhaled, leading to a flu-like illness that can become severe in some individuals. Experts indicate that escalating temperatures and extended drought periods, creating drier conditions, correlate with an amplified growth and dissemination of this particular fungus.
Kronstad elaborated, “There have been rigorous and meticulous research efforts examining how varying degrees of temperature change would impact desiccation and increasingly dry conditions moving from the desert Southwest northward across North America.” This suggests that as the climate warms, the fungus could migrate into previously unaffected regions, thereby expanding the population at risk of infection.
Last year, California witnessed a significant surge in Valley fever cases. While the Central Valley, particularly the region between Fresno and Bakersfield, has historically been a hotspot for this fungal disease, rising temperatures are now propelling the fungus further north. Areas such as Sacramento and Northern California are experiencing increased infection rates, a trend scientists directly attribute to climate-driven alterations in temperature and soil composition.
Fungal Threats to Agriculture and Food Security
The risks posed by climate change and fungi extend beyond human health, encompassing threats to our food supply.
As temperature patterns change, plant-pathogenic fungi—those that harm or destroy vegetation—may extend their reach into new territories where they were not previously problematic. This expansion could have substantial repercussions for agriculture, jeopardizing global food security.
“Fungi are, in fact, among the most destructive agents causing crop losses and posing threats to sustainability,” Kronstad informed CBS News. “And climate change has the potential to exacerbate this issue as fungi spread into new areas where they may not have caused disease previously.”
The Dual Nature of Fungi: Benefits and Risks
Despite their frightening representation in “The Last of Us”, fungi are not exclusively detrimental. They fulfill crucial ecological roles, including decomposing organic matter and serving as carbon sinks.
“Fungi are profoundly important, and their contributions to humanity are remarkable,” stated Kronstad. They are integral to diverse applications, ranging from pharmaceuticals to food production, and certain species even facilitate nutrient recycling within ecosystems.
While a zombie apocalypse scenario akin to “The Last of Us” remains firmly in the realm of fiction, the dynamic response of fungi to climate change is a genuine cause for concern. Scientists are diligently monitoring how increasing temperatures might enhance the resilience and adaptability of certain fungi, potentially leading to a rise in infections affecting both humans and vital agricultural crops.
Therefore, while audiences can continue to enjoy the television series as science fiction entertainment, the underlying concept of climate change influencing the proliferation and adaptation of harmful fungi is a matter of serious scientific consideration.
“The Last of Us” Season 2 Premiere Date
“The Last of Us” will commence its second season on Sunday, April 13, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max. The series will revisit the unsettling world where fungal infections have drastically altered human civilization.