Washington, July 30 (QNA) - A scientific study conducted by US researchers affirmed that invasive mold infections may pose a serious but under-reported health threat and could be fatal in some cases.

According to the study, whose results were published this week by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers sought to more accurately estimate the prevalence of these diseases by monitoring approximately 450 cases in Atlanta-area hospitals over five years, with results showing that about third of the patients died while hospitalized. The study also concluded that mold exposure is a recurring problem following hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters linked to climate change.

“I agree that the frequency of fungal infections will likely increase with climate change,” said Dr. Jeffrey Jenks, an infectious disease researcher at Duke University and the lead researcher on the study.

Invasive mold diseases are rare infections caused by certain species. Most people who get infected inhale mold spores, but the infection can also enter the body through cuts or wounds or from contaminated medical equipment. (QNA)