Could the Fungal Infection from ‘The Last of Us’ Really Happen?

It sounds like something from a horror movie, but nature’s own mushrooms hide a creepy secret.

Season 2 of the HBO series The Last of Us is available to stream right now. The show imagines a world where a fungal infection turns people into zombie-like creatures — but could this really happen in real life?

In the natural world, the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis infects ants and takes control of their behavior.

Once infected, the ant is compelled to climb high vegetation.

There, the fungus consumes the host and spreads spores by growing out of the ant’s body—a phenomenon that has earned it the nickname “zombie ant fungus.”

Images of zombie ants seem like scenes from an apocalyptic movie. But could the same thing happen to humans?

Scientists say the risk to humans, while extremely low, is not zero.

Could It Happen to Humans?

Thankfully, humans are far better protected.

Our blood-brain barrier serves as a strong line of defense, preventing most pathogens—including fungi—from reaching the brain.

However, some fungi have evolved ways to bypass this barrier.

Cryptococcus, a yeast found in the environment, can hide inside immune cells and cross into the brain. Once there, it can cause fungal meningitis, which can be fatal—especially in people with weakened immune systems.

Scientists have also been studying whether fungi may play a role in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s. While research is still in early stages, it points to the potential for fungi to subtly influence brain health.

Climate Change May Awaken a Dormant Threat

One of the key reasons fungi don’t infect humans more often is body temperature.

Most fungi thrive at 25–30°C, while the human body averages 37°C—too warm for many fungal species to survive.

But scientists warn that climate change may change this.

As fungi adapt to higher temperatures in the environment, more species may become capable of surviving inside the human body, raising the risk of infection.

If fungi continue to evolve in response to global warming, it’s possible we could see more infections—or even new fungal threats, researchers say.

Even if a fungus does reach the brain, the human immune system is ready to respond. Specialized brain cells, known as glial cells, detect invaders and send out signals—called cytokines—to call in backup from T cells and neutrophils.

This immune response can usually contain the infection, though in some cases, an overreaction may cause harmful inflammation in the brain.

According to reporting from Illustreret Videnskab, there is no immediate reason for the public to worry.