Rare brain fungus causes high fatalities

A recent study has revealed a significant rise in cases of the rare fungus "Cladophialophora bantiana" that infects the brain. The number of reported cases has greatly increased between 2023 and 2025, with a fatality rate ranging from 60 to 70%. This fungus typically thrives in soil and decaying organic material and affects the central nervous system, leading to the formation of tiny abscesses in the brain. Symptoms include headache, neurological problems, and disturbances in vision and memory. Although most infections occur within brain tissue, the exact ways the fungus reaches the body remain unclear. It is believed to enter through inhalation or skin injuries. The reasons behind the rise in cases are still unknown, and most diagnoses and treatments are complex. Additionally, there is a lack of a unified national monitoring system to track the spread of the disease.