The CDC is warning of a significant increase in cases of a rare and deadly brain-infecting fungus, Cladophialophora Bantiana, with infections rising four-fold in just two years.
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The fungus, found in soil and decaying matter worldwide, can cause abscesses in the brain, leading to neurological issues and death, and is presumed to infect people who breathe it in or through open wounds.
Cases of C. Bantiana infections in the US have risen from one to five per year between 2009 and 2023 to 14 in 2025, with most cases detected in brain samples.
Cases have been reported in 21 U.S. states, with a rise in infections even among those with healthy immune systems.
The rise in cases may be linked to a warming world, as warmer temperatures allow fungal pathogens to thrive, potentially leading to more fungal outbreaks.
The fungus is hard to treat and can be fatal even with aggressive treatment, affecting both immunocompromised individuals and those with apparently healthy immune systems.
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