"If inhaled it can cause high fever, extreme shortness of breath and pneumonia – up to 80% die without treatment." 8 deadliest spores on the planet

 The Zombie-Ant Fungus (Ophiocordyceps unilateralis)

The name sums it up. The zombie-ant fungus turns ants into zombies. Found mainly in tropical rainforests, spores land on foraging carpenter ants and produce an enzyme that eats through the shell. The fungus then enters the ant and starts to control its behaviour. The hapless insect climbs a nearby plant and bites into a leaf 25 centimetres above the ground - the perfect temperature and humidity for the fungus to grow. 

The ant dies – but the fungus isn’t done yet. It consumes the mummified corpse and extends a long stalk out of the ant’s head, which then produces spores that fall to the floor. The gruesome lifecycle starts over.

Thankfully, the fungus doesn’t infect humans, but it did inspire the post-apocalyptic show The Last of Us, where humans become infected with a fungus that turns them into zombies. 

Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)

Bacillus anthracis is a tiny, rod-shaped bacterium and its spores can survive in the soil for decades. Herbivores die after being infected whilst grazing. Humans become infected in different ways. If the bacteria enters through a cut, it can cause black, boil-like lesions. If the spores are inhaled, it can cause high fever, extreme shortness of breath, shock and pneumonia. Up to 80% of those with this form of infection, die without treatment. 

Anthrax is listed as a Tier 1 biological agent because of its potential use in terrorism. In 2011, letters containing anthrax spores were sent in the US mail. 22 people became infected, and five people died. 

White-Nose Syndrome Fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans)

This fungus is harmless to humans but deadly to bats, where it causes a fuzzy white growth on the animal’s nose. The fungus flourishes at low temperatures and can be found in the cool, damp caves where bats like to hibernate. Bats pick up the spores when they rub against the walls, ceilings and floors of contaminated caves or other infected bats. Spores colonise their skin and the fungus invades.

This leads to White-Nose Syndrome, a fatal disease that has devastated bat populations in parts of the United States and Canada. Inside the animal, the fungus forces the bat to burn through its fat reserves and emerge from hibernation too early. Dehydration and emaciation are the ultimate cause of death. 

Black fungus (Aspergillus fumigatus)

This common fungus is found in rotting leaves and compost heaps, where it plays a vital role in carbon and nitrogen recycling. Colonies of the fungus produce thousands of tiny grey-green spores which readily become airborne. Most people inhale hundreds of these spores every day without issue, but they can be deadly for people with chronic respiratory problems or weakened immune systems. 

Symptoms of aspergillosis include shortness of breath, wheezing, high temperature, losing weight and feeling tired. Treatment can include steroids and antifungal tablets, but A. fumigatus still causes around 600,000 deaths every year with a mortality rate between 25 and 90%.