Study suggests the threat of mold-associated illnesses may be underappreciated - Yahoo

What the report says

Yahoo Entertainment, carrying an Associated Press report from New York, says a new U.S. study is raising concern that serious mold-related infections may be more common and more dangerous than previously recognized. The research, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, examined invasive mold disease cases at four Atlanta-area hospitals and their outpatient clinics from 2020 through 2024.

According to the report, investigators found roughly 450 qualifying cases after reviewing nearly 1,000 possible infections. About one-third of the patients died while hospitalized. The study estimated that hospitals may see about three to five cases annually for every 100 inpatient beds, with higher rates at large academic medical centers that often treat more complex patients.

The illnesses are caused by certain molds that can invade the body, most often after spores are inhaled, though entry through wounds or contaminated medical equipment can also occur. Most people exposed to mold spores do not become severely ill, but the infections can be life-threatening for older adults, cancer patients and people with weakened immune systems. The AP report notes that many patients in the Atlanta study had immune impairment, and some had been weakened after COVID-19.

The findings matter because invasive mold infections are not routinely reportable to the government, making their true burden difficult to measure. CDC researcher Dr. Jeremy Gold said the study offers a rare local estimate and may help hospitals distinguish expected case levels from possible outbreaks. The report also notes broader concerns that climate-linked disasters such as floods and hurricanes can increase mold exposure, while an aging population may expand the number of people at risk.