Harmful Pathogens, Fungi Can Hitch on Wildfire Smoke and Cause Sickness, Valley Fever in Far Cities
By Rich Co Oct 12, 2022 09:08 PM EDT
Scientists warn that wildfire smoke can carry harmful pathogens and fungi that may cause sicknesses even in cities far from the origin of the fire.
The US is experiencing an increase in wildfires as temperatures rise. The ability of wildfire smoke to carry soot has long been known, but recent research shows that perhaps the threat is more nuanced than previously thought.
Pathogens can be snatched up from disturbed soil as well as charred vegetation and transported far from the fire lines by the churning convection in those massive plumes. Many of those microorganisms are still alive and could potentially spread infections.
Researchers are particularly concerned about fungi because they can cause incapacitating and even fatal slow-growing internal infections, which are challenging to identify and treat. This includes the fungus that causes valley fever, which thrives in the arid soils of the West, causes a serious condition that closely resembles pneumonia, and is moving further north as the climate continues to warm.
More:
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/53627/20221012/harmful-pathogens-fungi-hitch-wildfire-smoke-cause-sickness-valley-fever.htm
= new reply since forum marked as read
