There is growing research on how climate change is impacting the spread of certain fungi, including ones that can infect humans. One example is Candida auris, which has become more common in recent years. But the idea of a sudden apocalypse, like in The Last of Us, is more science fiction than reality at this point.

Fungal infections can be serious, especially for people with weakened immune systems, but the kind of rapid, global, civilization-ending spread portrayed in the game isn’t something researchers are predicting. It’s always good to stay informed, but also helpful to keep things in perspective. The media sometimes amplifies these stories because they grab attention.