Study Links Airborne Fungal Spores to COVID-19 and Influenza Surges

At the ASM Microbe 2025 conference, researchers from Lynn University and the RIPLRT Institute presented a groundbreaking study indicating that elevated airborne fungal spore concentrations may serve as short-term predictors for increases in COVID-19 and influenza cases. Conducted in Puerto Rico, the research analyzed data from two health regions—San Juan and Caguas—between 2022 and 2024, revealing a significant correlation between fungal spores and spikes in respiratory viral infections.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Fernando Rivera-Mariani, an Associate Professor at Lynn University, highlighted that higher levels of airborne fungal spores were consistently linked to subsequent increases in reported COVID-19 and influenza cases, typically within a few days. Notably, the research found no significant correlation between airborne pollen levels and the incidence of respiratory viruses, suggesting that fungal spores may play a more crucial role in respiratory outbreaks than previously recognized.

The predictive models used in the study demonstrated their highest accuracy during the fall season, which aligns with the known seasonality of respiratory viruses. This finding underscores the potential for integrating fungal spore monitoring into public health forecasting systems, which could assist officials in anticipating surges in viral infections.

According to Dr. Angela Borrero-Aponte, an epidemiologist at the RIPLRT Institute, the research utilized environmental monitoring data collected from stations co-located with health surveillance systems. The team assessed the relationship between environmental allergen exposure and daily respiratory viral case counts, leading to the conclusion that fungal spore monitoring could provide early signals of impending viral activity.

The study’s implications extend beyond Puerto Rico, as discussions are underway to explore whether similar patterns of fungal exposure could be observed in other geographic regions. Furthermore, the researchers plan to investigate the potential correlation between fungal exposures and disease severity, including hospitalizations and mortality rates.

The findings from this study add a new dimension to public health strategies aimed at controlling viral respiratory infections. Dr. Bolaños-Rosero, another co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of recognizing environmental factors in the context of respiratory virus transmission. The potential for utilizing fungal spores as an early warning mechanism could reshape how public health authorities respond to viral outbreaks.

Moving forward, the integration of fungal spore monitoring into health surveillance systems may provide invaluable insights into respiratory virus trends, ultimately enhancing preparedness and response strategies in light of future respiratory disease outbreaks. The researchers are optimistic that their findings will pave the way for new public health initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of respiratory viruses on populations.