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HBO's "The Last of Us" Season 2, premiering April 13th, explores a fungal pandemic turning humans into zombies. While the show's premise of cordyceps infecting humans is fictional, scientists are concerned about climate change increasing the risk of fungal infections. Rising temperatures allow fungi like Coccidioides (Valley fever) to spread to new areas, impacting human health and agriculture. Experts highlight the crucial role of fungi in ecosystems, but emphasize the real threat of climate change-driven fungal adaptation.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.