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Climate Change, Natural Disasters, and Cutaneous Fungal Infections

Summary

Climate change and natural disasters are creating conditions that allow fungal infections to spread more easily and affect people in new ways. Warmer temperatures help fungi adapt to infect humans, while floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes expose people to fungal spores and create wounds through which infections can enter. Doctors need to be alert for unusual fungal infections after disasters, especially since some of these infections can cause serious complications and resist common treatments.

Background

Fungal infections affect up to one-quarter of the world’s population and are influenced by climate change. Global warming increases mean temperatures and alters precipitation patterns, creating conditions favorable for fungal pathogen proliferation and expansion into new geographic areas.

Objective

This review examines the relationship between climate change, natural disasters, and the emergence of cutaneous fungal infections. The authors assess how thermal adaptation of environmental fungi and disaster-related conditions increase human susceptibility to both typical and opportunistic fungal infections.

Results

Multiple documented cases show increased fungal infections post-disaster, with dermatophytosis being common after earthquakes and floods. Environmental fungi levels exceeded 52,000 CFU/m³ in disaster areas. Atypical presentations of environmental fungi infections caused delayed diagnoses and systemic complications including mucormycosis and chromoblastomycosis.

Conclusion

Healthcare providers must remain vigilant for fungal infections in disaster situations and consider climate change as a driver of pathogen adaptation. Improved diagnostic testing access, surveillance of emerging pathogens, and a One Health framework approach are essential for addressing dermatological challenges posed by climate change.
  • Published in:International Journal of Dermatology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1111/ijd.17908, PMID: 40506838
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