Rare brain-destroying fungus infections surge in the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an alert about a sharp increase in infections caused by the rare mold Cladophialophora Bantiana, which can liquefy brain tissue and kill up to 70% of those infected. From 2009 through July 2026, health officials documented 48 confirmed cases and one probable case, with annual counts jumping from one-to-five cases before 2024 to eight in 2024 and 14 in 2025. The pathogen, commonly found in soil and decaying organic matter worldwide, is thought to enter humans by inhalation or through open wounds, then migrate to the brain where it forms abscesses and triggers vision loss, memory problems, and other neurological symptoms.

While 88% of diagnoses came from brain samples, 12% were identified from lung specimens, and infections have been reported across 21 states plus Washington, D.C., most frequently in California, Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania. Data from the University of Washington show a 210% rise in detection rates among central nervous system specimens between 2017 and 2025, suggesting that current case counts may underestimate the true incidence.

Experts like Joshua Lieberman highlight that the fungus is not limited to immunocompromised patients, with roughly half of those infected having normal immune function, and note the difficulty of treatment, as misdiagnosis as a brain tumor is common and even aggressive therapy often fails. Potential contributors to the surge include climate warming, which may enable fungi to thrive in new regions, and an increase in natural disasters that could spread spores.