'Zombie fungus' from The Last of Us: how plausible is the series' plot? Microbiologists explain
Fans of The Last of Us are eagerly awaiting the second season, which will premiere on 13 April. And, judging by the trailer, the new episodes will be more scientifically accurate than ever.
In the first season, the virus was transmitted through tentacles, but now, it seems, infection will occur through spores, as it happens in real fungi. And this is much closer to reality, assure microbiologists.
'Fungi love to produce spores,' says Professor Jim Kronstad of the University of British Columbia. He researches fungi in the Michael Smith Laboratory. Michael Smith Laboratory.
In nature, for example, a fungus of the genus Corducers infects an ant by forcing it to climb to the top of a plant. The fungus then makes its way out through the insect's head and spreads spores, infecting others.
Many real fungal infections in humans are also transmitted this way. For example, Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes meningitis, is also airborne - by inhaling spores.
What does the show get right?
The TV series shows the "zombie fungus" as the result of the evolution of a common fungus under the influence of global warming. It's not science fiction, scientists say. In a paper in Nature, Jim Kronstad and his colleagues point out: climate warming is actually fuelling the spread of dangerous fungi such as Coccidioides (which causes valley fever) and Candida auris, which is resistant to most drugs.
Also, a new fungus, Rhodosporidiobolus fluvialis, has recently been found, previously only found in nature, but now in humans.
Not all fungi are evil
Although the series paints a bleak picture, fungi play an important role in life on Earth. They decompose organic matter, help plants and are huge carbon stores. Fungi are used to make materials that can even be used in space. They're also used in many foods, from cheeses to vegan burgers.
Mushrooms are incredible. What they do for humanity is truly phenomenal," says Kronstad.
So The Last of Us isn't just a post-apocalyptic thriller, it's also a reason to think about how our world is changing and how science can explain even the most fantastic stories.
For more details on the study, see Nicola T. Case et al, Fungal impacts on Earth's ecosystems, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08419-4