--- title: "Bad News: the Horrific Zombie Fungus in “The Last of Us” Is Real" description: "Considering that the zombie fungus that infects human brains in The Last of Us is real, and currently zombifies insects, it's worth asking." date: "2023-01-21" modified: "2023-01-21" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/zombie-fungus-the-last-of-us" categories: - "Brain" - "Health & Medicine" - "Neuroscience and Brain" tags: - "entertainment" - "fungus" - "health" - "zombies" --- # Bad News: the Horrific Zombie Fungus in “The Last of Us” Is Real ![Considering that the zombie fungus that infects human brains in The Last of Us is real, and currently zombifies insects, it's worth asking.]() *\Image: HBO\* HBO's "The Last of Us," a new television series based on the acclaimed videogame of the same name, finally premiered on Sunday following a hotly anticipated run-up. The story follows an unlikely duo as they traverse a post-apocalyptic, monster-ridden America, years after a zombie fungus ravaged humanity. It's spooky stuff, and considering that a) the zombie fungus that the story is based on is real and b) humanity is currently still recovering from a global pandemic that's [killed millions]() thus far, you might forgive viewers for wondering: could this actually happen? Again, the show's plot is based on a real group of fungi, *Ophiocordyceps*. More commonly known as the "[zombie fungus]()" — very on the nose, scientists — this genus of fungi have the ghoulish capacity to hijack infected insect hosts' minds, killing the host from within as it makes its way to a buggo's brain. Once the poor insect is dead, the fungus is able to then manipulate the infected nervous system to maneuver the body, guiding the undead carcass to the highest vantage point it can reach. The higher it can get, the more it can spread its spores — and thus, the more insects it can eventually infect. Thankfully, as of now, insect zombie fungi don't infect humans. That said, fungi have become increasingly resistant to treatments in recent years, and also evolve quite quickly. Many experts have warned that the [next pandemic]() could well be caused by fungi; in the world of "The Last of Us," warming global temperatures have caused the fungus to mutate, ultimately making humans susceptible. And as molecular biologist Ameya Paleja [points out in *Interesting Engineering*](), at least one fungal infection, [*Candida auris*](), has been mutating among the human population pretty rapidly over the past decade. Still, when it comes to the cordyceps brain infection — as the fungus is referred to in the TV show — most experts seem confident that a zombie fungus mutation capable of infecting humans is unlikely. Human and insect biology, as assistant curator and researcher in mycology at the New York Botanical Garden João Araújo [told *Forbes*](), is incredibly different. The fungus would have to mutate *a lot* to be able to take over human brains, and thus is "not prepared to invade, establish within and transmit spores from a human body" — especially considering that it's been around for 130 million years or so and in that time, hasn't been able to make the biological leap from insect to any other kind of animal. Also speaking to *Forbes*, a few other scientists echoed Araújo's take, with Charissa de Bekker, an expert in parasitic fungi and assistant professor at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, explaining that even if the fungus made its way into human bodies, it simply wouldn't have the "tools to go and manipulate our brains" anytime soon. These are specialized pathogens, evolving for millions of years to be able to expertly control a specific buggo's mind. Suddenly being able to control the mind of a human would be a remarkable feat indeed. All to say, the chance that humanity will fall ill to the cordyceps brain infection anytime soon? Pretty slim. But we sadly can't say the same for the odds of a different, albeit non-zombifying, fungal pandemic. In any case, Paleja does have one pretty solid note for the HBO show. "Did anyone tell Pedro Pascal that splattering a fungus with a gunshot would also spread the spores around?" he pondered. "Or are we too late for that now?"" **More on fungus amongus:***[ Next Pandemic Could Be Caused by Horrid Fungi, Scientists Warn]()* ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()