The contribution of climate change and natural disasters to the pathophysiology of fungal pathogens and as risk factors for developing fungal diseases is relatively unknown. A focus is now put on how rising global temperatures can increase the thermotolerance of fungi to become more fit and virulent. Climate change can create preconditions for new fungal pathogens to emerge more successfully and adaptively. It can confer adaptability to nonideal previous habitats, which may lead to geographical spread into traditionally non-endemic regions. Furthermore, climate change is related to an increased incidence and severity of natural disasters, in which outbreaks of fungal diseases might be potentially triggered. This would, therefore, imply deliberating from the information available that socially vulnerable populations are most affected. Key stakeholders need to create awareness, research, funding, and policies that help reduce the impact attributed to climate change and disaster-related mycoses.
The impact of climate change on fungal pathogens and diseases, catalyzed by natural disasters and displacements, is an underappreciated but critical global problem whose adverse effects are not just confined to low-income countries, but most significantly, to high-income countries. It is almost common knowledge that infectious diseases, from fungal infections—now supercharged by climate change and natural disasters—to many others, have been the biggest challenge health systems anywhere have ever faced, both in vulnerable populations and otherwise. Therefore, responding to climate change will require a global and concerted effort if most of the injurious outcomes are to be mitigated and knowledge of interlinkages between climate change, natural disaster, and fungal diseases advanced. An improved understanding could further efforts at prevention, early detection, and treatment. The research in this regard should give way to exploring the role of global warming concerning the following aspects, among others, to improve knowledge in the area:
