Frog Meat Trade Linked to Global Spread of Deadly Fungus

A deadly fungus responsible for the decline of hundreds of amphibian species worldwide may have been spread through the international frog meat trade, according to recent research. The fungus, a chytrid pathogen, likely originated in Brazil and hitched a ride on bullfrogs (Aquarana catesbeiana), a species commercially bred in the country since the 1930s, according to a report released on January 19, 2026.

The research highlights the risks associated with the global wildlife trade and its potential to disseminate biological threats across borders. Genetic evidence and trade data suggest the fungus spread across the world via international frog meat markets, according to Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo.

The findings raise urgent concerns about how wildlife trade can spread hidden biological threats. The fungus has decimated amphibian populations worldwide, leading to widespread decline and extinction of numerous species. The study underscores the need for stricter regulations and monitoring of the wildlife trade to prevent future outbreaks of deadly pathogens.