Warning as deadly fungal infections that enter the bloodstream on the rise – and scientists identify those most at risk
In 2024, cases of fungi entering the bloodstream rose slightly from 3.8 to 3.9 per 100,000 people, new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal.
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Most were found in vulnerable patients in hospitals, particularly those with weakened immune systems.
Bloodstream infections caused by a type of fungus called yeast usually happen in hospitals, from yeasts that naturally live on our skin or inside our bodies.
The main culprits behind these new infections are yeast species like Candida albicans, Nakaseomyces glabratus, and Candida parapsilosis.
Candida albicans, or C. albicans as it is sometimes called, has already been named by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of 19 deadly fungi posing a serious threat to humanity.
It's branded a superbug because it's becoming harder and harder to treat due to growing drug resistance.
But UKHSA chiefs are most concerned about Candidozyma auris - a tougher, drug-resistant fungus that has also been reported and can be deadly and spreads easily in hospitals.
Between 2013 and 2024, there were 637 reported cases of in England, with 178 just last year alone, data suggests.
Once rare, it's been steadily rising, especially since the Covid pandemic restrictions ended.
Experts say the rise may be linked to more complex surgeries, longer hospital stays, and increased antibiotic use – all of which can weaken the body's defenses.
'Our surveillance shows that serious fungal infections are having an increasing impact on public health," Professor Andy Borman from the UKHSA said.
"The rise of drug-resistant C. auris means we must remain vigilant to protect patient safety.'
To tackle this threat, UKHSA has stepped up surveillance and made C. auris a notifiable infection. This means hospitals must report cases quickly to help control outbreaks.
What is antimicrobial resistance?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health and development threat.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.
Source: WHO
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