Vol2-2Art3 One Health Fungal Infections and Global Health

Fungal infections through a One Health lens: an overlooked dimension of global health, with a focus on Africa

Bashir Joey Merico 1,2#, Petros Chigwechokha 3, Gama Petulo Bandawe 4

1Department of Energy Resources Management, Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Thyolo, Malawi; 2Department of Biological and Biomedical Health Sciences, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi; 3Department of Biological Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Thyolo, Malawi; 4Centre for Clinical and Biological Sciences Research, Academy of Medical Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Thyolo, Malawi

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections have emerged in recent years and are now a serious health concern for the general public. It has become evident that climate change and urbanisation have reshaped the epidemiology of infections, including the emergence of antifungal resistance. To gain a deeper understanding of this phenomenon, we conducted a review to explore the interplays of the growing threat of the emergence and re-emergence of fungal infections with regard to climate change, human-wildlife interactions and urbanisation as the main drivers. A search of peer-reviewed articles from online databases was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Web of Science. Just like several other health challenges, the dynamics of fungal diseases extend beyond the human domain. We call for a One Health approach with a cross-sectoral collaboration among medical, veterinary, and environmental professionals because combating the challenge of fungal infections requires a coordinated response due to the intersectional nature of this complex problem.

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#Correspondence:
joemerico164@gmail.com

Article info:
Received 12 July 2025
Revised 26 September 2025
Accepted 5 October 2025
Appeared online 26 October 2025
One Health Mycology 2(2): 123-133, 2025
doi.org/10.63049/OHM.25.22.3 

Cite this article:
Merico BJ, Chigwechokha P, Bandawe GP 2025. Fungal infections through a One Health lens: an overlooked dimension of global health, with a focus on Africa. One Health Mycology 2(2), 123-133
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Keywords:
WHO-priority fungi, One Health, fungal infections, climate change, urbanisation, zoonosis, emergence and re-emergence

Article highlights:

  • A shared health threat by fungal infections within the One Health triad human, animal, and environmental, with species of Candida, Aspergillus, Histoplasma and Cryptococcus being particularly significant.
  • Rapid urbanisation and climate change are the key drivers amplifying the epidemiology of fungal disease, with the surge of Candida auris infections as a classic example of rapid epidemiological emergence.
  • The review underscores the urgent need for enhanced surveillance, diagnostics, collaborative and integrated approaches to address the challenges of emerging pathogens and resistance.