MANILA, Philippines—Five species of Philippine frogs were found infected with a deadly fungus that could lead to their extinction, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said Wednesday.

The discovery of the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis) in the frogs was alarming because it could lead to an “imbalance in the ecosystem” if the amphibians are wiped out, Atienza told reporters in a press conference Wednesday

A joint US-Philippine survey team composed of experts from the University of Santo Tomas, National Museum of the Philippines, University of Kansas and San Francisco State University revealed that the following species were infected with the chytrid fungus: the Luzon striped frog (Rana similis), Luzon stream frog (Rana luzonesis), two species of the Luzon fanged frog (Limnonectes woodworth and Limnonectes macrocephalus), and the Puddle frog (Occidozyga laevis).

For the survey, the team monitored 19 areas nationwide for two years.

Dr. Arvin Diesmos, curator of amphibians and reptiles at the National Museum of the Philippines, said it was “disturbing” that the pathogen was present in relatively “pristine areas.”

Dr. Rafe Brown of the University of Kansas, on the other hand, said the fungus attacks the frogs’ skin and ultimately interferes with their development.

The team warned that the deadly frog fungus has been linked to the extinction of amphibians in Europe, Australia, and the Americas. There had been frog infections in Japan and Indonesia as well.

Diesmos told Philippine Daily Inquirer that there was no known cure to control the fungus. However, he stressed that the fungus affects only amphibians and has not infected humans or other animal species.

Atienza said he has directed the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau to formulate a national strategy for monitoring frog populations throughout the country.

“This is a very serious threat to amphibian biodiversity in the Philippines,” said Brown.

“The Philippines is home to an incredibly diverse amphibian fauna. Along with forest destruction, pollution, and climate change, chytrid fungus may turn out to be the ‘final blow’ that sparks major amphibian extinction in the archipelago.” With a report from Agence France-Presse