Killer fungus forecast to spread to UK as climate changes
A killer fungus that infects millions of people a year in hotter climes may soon spread through Europe and into the UK as the world warms further, according to a new study on how climate change spreads disease.
The aspergillus species – which can cause deadly human brain infections, spoil livestock and render crops unsafe to eat – is forecast to spread northwards from Africa and South America into Europe and Asia.
How far it spreads will depend on how quickly the world phases out fossil fuels and other drivers of climate change, the paper said, while slow action will put more people at risk.
Global warming is also raising the risk of the spread of other diseases, such as those spread by mosquitoes like malaria and dengue.
Fungi are a growing concern but largely unexplored.
They live in the air, soil and inside our bodies and spread through spores in the air we breathe – but more than 90% are estimated still to be unknown to science.
Lead author of the new research, Norman van Rhijn from Manchester University, told Sky News they are “extremely difficult” to treat.
Few antifungal medicines exist, while the fungi themselves are increasingly drug-resistant and hard to spot and diagnose.
Fungi are also essential to a healthy ecosystem, decomposing organic matter and helping to suck up climate-heating carbon dioxide.
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‘Tropical nights’ soar in European hotspots
‘Scary’ reality
Viewers of the TV show The Last Of Us will be familiar with the threat: the post-apocalyptic drama depicts a brain-altering fungus that has wiped out much of society.
But “reality is already scary enough”, Dr Van Rhijn told Sky News presenter Leah Boleto.
Infections from all fungi already cause 2.5 million deaths globally each year.
Healthy immune systems kick out the spores, but vulnerable people can end up contracting infections like invasive aspergillosis, which spreads rapidly from the lungs to other parts of the body like the brain, and currently kills 1.8m people a year globally.
Aspergillus fumigatus was found to be particularly well adapted for cooler climates. Pic: Reuters
“Most fungi live in the environment,” said Dr Van Rhijn. “Because that environment is rapidly changing, we will definitely see different kinds of diseases and infections popping up over the next 50 years or so.”
The scientists looked at the existing habitats suitable for certain types of fungi to grow. They then mapped how those habitats might move or spread under different rates of global warming.
In a worst-case scenario, the spread of Aspergillus flavus could increase by about 16%, putting 1 million more people at risk of infection in Europe, damaging the respiratory system, as well as various crops.
It is highly virulent, causes severe infections and is resistant to many antifungals available.
And another in the same family, Aspergillus fumigatus, could spread by a further 77%, potentially exposing nine million people in Europe, the research suggested.
Pic: Reuters
However, it also found temperatures in Africa could become so high that some fungi would no longer be able to survive on the continent.
The study has not yet been peer-reviewed, but is backed by the renowned health institution the Wellcome Trust, which funded the research.
Viv Goosens, research manager at Wellcome, said: “Fungal pathogens pose a serious threat to human health by causing infections and disrupting food systems. Climate change will make these risks worse. To address these challenges, we must fill important research gaps.”
Professor Dann Mitchell from Bristol University, who was not involved with the study, said fungi are “often overlooked” in comparison with viral, bacterial, or parasitic pathogens, despite being a “crucial part of the picture”.
Healthcare systems must be equipped to “recognise and respond to these new threats”, as misdiagnosis is common when pathogens appear in unfamiliar regions, he warned.
UK
Philip Young appears in Swindon court charged with 56 sexual offences against ex-wife – as five others also charged
A man has appeared in court charged with drugging and raping his ex-wife over a 13-year period.
Philip Young, 49, formerly of Swindon, has been charged with 56 offences, including multiple counts of rape, against Joanne Young.
He is also charged with administering a substance to allow sexual activity, as well as voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children and possession of extreme images.
Young appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning and spoke only to confirm his name and address.
He declined to enter a plea and was remanded in custody until the next hearing at crown court on 23 January.
Philip Young was remanded in custody
The 49-year-old was taken to court in Swindon on Tuesday morning
Five other men have also been charged with sexual offences against Ms Young between 2010 and 2023. The 48-year-old has waived her legal right to anonymity.
The other men are on bail but are due in the same court at 2pm.
They are: Norman Macksoni, 47, of Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. He is a black British national and has been charged with one count of rape and possession of extreme images.
Dean Hamilton, 47, of no fixed abode. He is a white British national and has been charged with one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching.
Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, of Swindon. He is a white British national and has been charged with sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching
Richard Wilkins, 61, of Swindon. He is a white British national and has been charged with one count of rape and sexual touching
Mohammed Hassan, 37, of Swindon. He is a British Asian and has been charged with sexual touching.
The alleged offences took place between 2010 and 2023.
A Sandringham photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the Epstein files has resurfaced at a particularly uncomfortable moment for the Royal Family, just days before they gather at the estate for Christmas.
Andrew is set to move to the King’s private Norfolk estate in the next few months, after he was officially stripped of his titles, honours, and his large home on the Windsor estate.
The picture was among the thousands of Epstein files by the US Department of Justice.
It shows Andrew lying across the laps of several women whose faces have been redacted.
Looking on and laughing is Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend.
The photo was taken in the stately saloon room at Sandringham House in Norfolk.
Prince Charles, now King Charles III, in the same room at Sandringham with Prince Edward in 1969. Pic: PA
Although the image is undated, we know Andrew organised a shooting weekend in 2000 for Ghislaine’s birthday.
It is a picture of intimate access to the inner royal sanctum.
Sandringham is a private royal retreat, and no one is invited here by chance.
Royal biographer, Andrew Lownie, said royal residences were used as “party places” by Andrew.
Andrew at the Royal Family’s Christmas Day service on the Sandringham estate in 2022. Pic: Reuters
“Epstein and Ghislaine took advantage of this,” he said. “They went to Balmoral, Sandringham and Windsor … This showed people just how close they were to the Royal Family.”
There’s no suggestion the wider family knew Epstein, but the timing is deeply awkward. This week Sandringham will once again host the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas gathering.
And the King will deliver his Christmas message to the country and Commonwealth.
Andrew isn’t invited to Sandringham and will be spending Christmas elsewhere. The Norfolk estate will soon become his new home; it’s understood the move will happen in the first quarter of next year.
A photo of the King at Sandringham released to mark his 77th birthday last month. Pic: @MilliePilks/Sandringham Estate
For years, Andrew let Epstein and Maxwell into his privileged world.
They were guests at the 18th birthday party of his daughter, Princess Beatrice.
Read more:
Outrage over incomplete Epstein file release
The links between Epstein and UK revealed in new files
Another photo released in the files shows Andrew, Epstein and Maxwell at Royal Ascot, a firm fixture in the royal calendar.
Epstein and his former girlfriend are also photographed at another shooting party, possibly at Balmoral.
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell hunting, date unknown. Pic: US DOJ
We know the pair were once guests at the Scottish castle, pictured in the same lodge loved by the late Queen.
Mr Lownie said the pair enjoyed “extraordinary” access.
“It just shows how close Andrew was to them… for them to be socialising in these very private residences,” he added.
Andrew’s association with Epstein has cost him his royal roles, titles, and his beloved home.
He has always strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Sandringham Estate, Norfolk. Pic: PA
The images and documents released and revealed in the Epstein files contain graphic and traumatic content.
It is harrowing and retraumatising for Epstein’s victims.
And what continues to shock – is how a man like Jeffrey Epstein had proximity to the Royal Family. And why Andrew let it happen and stayed friends with him.
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