Deadly, brain-liquifying fungus is on the rise in the US — and scientists don’t know why

U.S. health officials have detected a rising number of cases of a rare fungal infection caused by Cladophialophora bantiana, a mold that targets the brain. The infection is serious, killing most patients who contract it. Scientists are concerned about the increase but have not yet identified why cases are rising. Health officials are calling for faster diagnosis and recognition of the disease among medical professionals.