Tornados in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin Can Spread Flesh-Eating Fungus

Add this to the list of true life being stranger than fiction. I recently watched the latest Netflix documentary on the Joplin tornado. The Joplin tornado was an unrelenting beast on so many different levels.

Firstly, the EF-5 tornado produced wind speeds of around 200 miles per hour. Secondly, it destroyed a path approximately 13 miles long and 3/4 mile wide. Thirdly, it killed 161 people, injured over 1,000, and caused, what would be today, an estimated $4 billion dollars in damage.

Worse yet, some who survived the ordeal, including one man focused on in the Netflix documentary, became infected with a terrible life-threatening fungus that required the amputation of rib bones, lungs, and even parts of his heart.

Enter Apophysomyces trapeziformis. This fungus is quite common and found in soil, decaying vegetation, and water containing organic matter like leaves and dirt. Here's the crazy thing, it is unlikely that this fungus would ever really bother you. However, when 200-mile-per-hour winds create what are known as penetrating wounds on your body, foreign substances like wood, soil, gravel, and other substances contaminated with this fungus can enter. Once infected, the fungus begins the process of breaking down the very flesh and bone that holds you together. Worse still for victims is the fact that this infection, known as necrotizing cutaneous mucormycosis and black fungus infection, is quick to spread and difficult to stop. Even with treatment, the survival rate is grim.

Could This Happen Again in the Midwest?

Well, the answer is a resounding yes, but it's still rare. Fast forward to 2024, and the Midwest — specifically Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin — is seeing an uptick in powerful tornadoes. Tornadoes seem to be stronger, more frequent, and even striking in more unexpected places. And where tornadoes churn up the earth, Apophysomyces trapeziformis isn’t far behind. It's literally everywhere, especially in rural farming communities.

Tornado debris fields are a perfect storm for this fungus to spread. The mix of high winds, flying organic material, and flesh injuries creates an ideal environment for the infection to take hold. Unfortunately, with emergency services stretched thin after major disasters, getting prompt and aggressive medical treatment can be a challenge. In the case of this fungus, that can mean the difference between life and death.

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How to Stay Safe

If the tornado itself wasn't bad enough, here's one more thing to worry about, right?! So, what can you do? Obviously, you can’t exactly negotiate with a tornado, but you can take steps to protect yourself:

• Avoid debris exposure: After a tornado, wear protective clothing, gloves, and a mask if you’re helping with cleanup. Avoid direct contact with dirt, wood, or other materials that could be contaminated.
• Treat wounds immediately: Any cuts, scrapes, or punctures should be thoroughly cleaned and monitored. If the wound becomes red, swollen, or starts spreading rapidly, seek medical attention immediately.
• Be aware of symptoms: Fever, swelling, pain, or blackened skin near a wound site are major red flags. The earlier this fungus is caught, the better the chances of survival. Like the doctors have said, if a wound looks bad or strange, get it checked!

Tornadoes are terrifying enough on their own, but the hidden dangers that come after the storm can be just as deadly for survivors. If powerful tornadoes continue to strike the Midwest, Apophysomyces trapeziformis could become an unexpected and horrifying consequence of these extreme weather events. This means that surviving the tornado is only the first battle. The fight to stay alive afterward could be just as brutal and unforgiving.