The Last of Us and the Question of a Fungal Pandemic in Real Life

Abstract

The television series The Last of Us imagines a postapocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal pandemic caused by a Cordyceps species. We evaluate whether a fungal pandemic is possible (and reasons behind its current improbability). We further discuss the series’ effect on public perception of fungi, fungal infections, and pandemic response.

Keywords

• pandemic
• fungi
• Cordyceps
• The Last of Us
• television series
• public perception