News Animals A deadly frog-killing fungus probably originated in East Asia The pandemic form of Bd chytrid likely emerged 50 to 120 years ago, a genetic study finds RISKY TRAVELER A genetic study now traces an amphibian-killing fungus to East Asia, from where international trade in such showy pets as this oriental fire-bellied toad could have helped launch the pathogen worldwide. Frank Pasmans Share this:EmailFacebookTwitterPinterestPocketRedditPrint By Susan Milius May 10, 2018 at 6:14 pm The biggest genetic study yet of a notorious frog-killing fungus says it probably originated in East Asia in the 20th century.