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A leading microbiologist has warned of the increasing threat that killer fungi poses to humans and the environment (candida yeast pictured)

A leading microbiologist has warned of the increasing threat that killer fungi poses to humans and the environment.

New figures show that fungal diseases cause hundreds of thousands of deaths annually, following severe respiratory illness and infections of the blood stream.

And now an expert has warned that fungi kill more people than malaria and tuberculosis worldwide, and destroy a third of all food crops.

Speaking at Cardiff University's Science in Public Health lecture series, Professor Rosemary Barnes from the School of Medicine's Institute of Infection and Immunity said: 'For most people, fungal disease means a bit of athlete's foot or a manky-looking toe nail.

'These maybe irritating and unsightly but fungi can do far worse.

'Fungi kill more people than malaria and tuberculosis worldwide. 

'They destroy about a third of all arable food crops. 

Scientists have identified more than two million species of fungi, and they are considered to be among the most diverse and adaptable of all living organisms, predating humans by hundreds of millions of years.

Only 600 species are known to cause disease, but 99 per cent of these diseases can be attributed to 30 kinds of fungi.

Whilst relatively few species cause human disease, they are incredibly common with approximately one-in-three people infected.

'Fungi were on the earth long before plants and other life forms' continued Professor Barnes.

'They readily adapt to increasing globalisation and climate change and we need to rise to the challenge to deal with the threats posed by these versatile and intriguing organisms.'

Scientists have identified more than two million species of fungi and they are considered to be among the most diverse and adaptable of all living organisms, predating humans by hundreds of millions of years. Aspergillosis mould is pictured. Aspergillosis can cause lung disease, and kills up 90% of people with an immunodeficiency

Most infections are trivial, but serious invasive diseases affect 2.5 million people worldwide.

Invasive fungal disease is very difficult to treat and can be distressing for patients, in some cases causing disfigurement.

Other strains of fungi can decimate crops leading to billions of pounds of food wastage and contribute to global poverty.

Professor Rosemary Barnes from Cardiff University said that flooding caused by adverse weather conditions (seen in Southsea, Hampshire) has caused a worsening situation of home dampness and indoor mould growth, which are associated with asthma, rhinitis and other respiratory problems

According to Professor Barnes, recent flooding across UK and the rest of Europe has exacerbated the situation.

'Flooding caused by adverse weather conditions has caused a worsening situation of home dampness and indoor mould growth, which are associated with asthma, rhinitis and other respiratory problems.

'Five and a half million people in the UK alone are living with asthma and half of these cases are down to an allergic reaction to fungi.'

Emerging fungal diseases such as Dutch Elm, ash dieback, sweet chestnut blight and sudden oak death are also a real concern for Britain's forests, said Professor Barnes.

'Deforestation from fungal pathogens increases carbon dioxide emissions and contributes to global warming.

'Other diseases attack insect populations that are crucial for plant pollination.

Professor Barnes said that there needs to be more education around the impact of fungus on health, and the economy.

She suggests improving diagnostic techniques, investing more into research in the area, and performing surveillance studies of the fungi and diseases.