Latest news with #C.auris
Wales Online
7 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Experts warn of 'growing concern' over fungus which is a 'threat to humanity'
Experts warn of 'growing concern' over fungus which is a 'threat to humanity' 'The reality is already scary enough', one expert has shared Candidozyma auris has been identified in the UK - but it's not widespread (Image: Getty ) Experts have issued a warning about a deadly fungus dubbed a "threat to humanity" which is now rapidly spreading. Originally discovered in Japan in 2009, Candidozyma (formerly known as Candida) auris (C. auris) has appeared in over 40 countries across six continents since it was identified in a patient's ear canal. It poses a significant threat according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) due to its extraordinary tenacity and ability to last for extensive periods on surfaces. The fungus's survival skills are not limited to persistence on surfaces: it often also shows resistance to everyday disinfectants and many antifungal medications. Infections can occur through various anatomical pathways, including invasion into the bloodstream, central nervous system (encompassing the brain and spinal cord), bones, abdominal cavity, wounds, ears, respiratory tract, or urinary system, reports the Mirror. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here People with existing medical conditions are at heightened danger, faced with potential mortality rates ranging from 30% to 60%, an alarming statistic highlighted by the Express. The UKHSA emphasised the public health issue, stating: "C. auris represents a growing global health concern, particularly in healthcare settings where it can spread rapidly and resist treatment and some disinfectants." "While not yet widespread in England, it is important that we remain aware that C. auris may spread in hospital environments. "Through effective infection prevention and control measures, rigorous hygiene practices, ongoing monitoring and continued research, its spread can be minimised. "C. auris primarily spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces or medical equipment, or via direct contact with individuals who are colonised. People can carry the fungus on their skin without developing an infection (called colonisation). However, someone who has C. auris on their skin may become infected if it enters their body, for example through a wound, or if they have had an invasive medical device inserted, for example a catheter or drip." The World Health Organisation (WHO) has spotlighted this fungus among 19 deadly fungi that represent a "serious threat to humanity", according to its recent report. The WHO highlighted how fungal infections "receive very little attention and resources, leading to a scarcity of quality data on fungal disease distribution and antifungal resistance patterns." Article continues below The organisation added: "As a result, the exact burden of fungal diseases and antifungal resistance, are unknown, and the response is therefore undermined." Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Assistant Director-General, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) said: "Emerging from the shadows of the bacterial antimicrobial resistance pandemic, fungal infections are growing, and are ever more resistant to treatments, becoming a public health concern worldwide."
Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Killer fungus warning as pathogen dubbed 'threat to humanity' spreading in UK
Candidozyma auris is 'particularly concerning' due to its 'remarkable resilience' which means it can survive on surfaces for a long time, said the UK Health Security Agency An urgent warning has been issued as a fungus described as a "threat to humanity" is now spreading across the UK. Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris (C. auris) was first identified in the external ear canal of a patient in Japan in 2009, but has since been found in more than 40 countries across six continents. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the fungus is "particularly concerning" because of its "remarkable resilience" which allows it to survive on surfaces for long periods of time. The yeast species is often resistant to disinfectants and common antifungal drugs too. A person can contract it through a fungal infection into the blood, brain and spinal cord, bones, abdomen, wounds, ears, respiratory tract, and urinary system. People who already have existing health issues are particularly at risk, as in extreme cases the fungus can be fatal in between 30% and 60% of patients, reports the Express. UKHSA said in a statement released yesterday: "C. auris represents a growing global health concern, particularly in healthcare settings where it can spread rapidly and resist treatment and some disinfectants. "While not yet widespread in England, it is important that we remain aware that C. auris may spread in hospital environments. Through effective infection prevention and control measures, rigorous hygiene practices, ongoing monitoring and continued research, its spread can be minimised. "C. auris primarily spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces or medical equipment, or via direct contact with individuals who are colonised. People can carry the fungus on their skin without developing an infection (called colonisation). However, someone who has C. auris on their skin may become infected if it enters their body, for example through a wound, or if they have had an invasive medical device inserted, for example a catheter or drip." The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed the fungus among 19 lethal fungi that pose a "serious threat to humanity" in a recent report. The health organisation said fungal infections "receive very little attention and resources, leading to a scarcity of quality data on fungal disease distribution and antifungal resistance patterns." It added: "As a result, the exact burden of fungal diseases and antifungal resistance, are unknown, and the response is therefore undermined." Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Assistant Director-General, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), said: "Emerging from the shadows of the bacterial antimicrobial resistance pandemic, fungal infections are growing, and are ever more resistant to treatments, becoming a public health concern worldwide." Earlier this month, a new climate change study warned that a deadly fungus that already infects millions of people in warmer parts of the world could soon spread across Europe and reach the UK. The Aspergillus fungus - already a known threat in tropical and subtropical climates - causes serious brain infections in humans, kills livestock, and renders crops unsafe to eat. Now, with global temperatures rising, researchers say its reach is expanding rapidly, and the UK could be next. Viewers of The Last of Us might recognise the fictional version of this threat, but "the reality is already scary enough," said lead author Dr Norman van Rhijn from the University of Manchester, speaking to Sky News. Dr van Rhijn warned that infections like invasive aspergillosis - which spreads from the lungs to other organs - currently kill 1.8million people globally each year. 'Most fungi live in the environment,' he said. 'Because that environment is rapidly changing, we will definitely see different kinds of diseases and infections popping up over the next 50 years or so.' The new research shows that species such as Aspergillus fumigatus, flavus, and niger are set to move northward from their current hotspots in Africa and South America, reaching parts of Europe, the UK, and even Scandinavia. In an optimistic climate scenario where warming is limited to around 2C, Aspergillus fungi would still expand significantly - while likely retreating from southern Europe, which may become too hot even for these heat-loving pathogens.
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Warning as deadly fungal infections that enter the bloodstream on the rise – and scientists identify those most at risk
'Our surveillance shows that serious fungal infections are having an increasing impact on public health,' Professor Andy Borman from the UKHSA says 'REMAIN VIGILANT' Warning as deadly fungal infections that enter the bloodstream on the rise – and scientists identify those most at risk Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SEVERAL deadly fungal infections are on the rise in England, health chiefs warn - including one labeled a 'huge threat to humanity'. 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Experts think the rise in infections may be linked to more complex surgeries, longer hospital stays, and increased antibiotic use Credit: Getty 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. Are fungal infections a serious threat? "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. 2 The WHO have ranked 19 fungal priority pathogensbased on threat to humanity
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Clinical cases of drug-resistant fungus Candida auris continue to rise in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A drug-resistant fungus has been found in 17 states, including Louisiana. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the fungus is called Candida auris, or C. auris, 'is a type of yeast that can cause severe illness and spreads easily among patients in healthcare facilities.' Certain people are most at risk for this fungus. The CDC said the fungus 'mostly affects patients with severe underlying medical conditions and those requiring complex medical care and invasive medical devices.' Clinical cases of Candida auris have risen since 2022, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The numbers show that the state is on pace to top last year's number of cases. LDH provided a breakdown of clinical cases of this fungus by region. The fungus 'can cause infection in different parts of the body, like the blood, wounds, and ears,' according to the CDC. The fungus can survive for a long time on objects and surfaces. Patients who have it on their skin or body along with 'surfaces and objects like bedrails, doorknobs, and blood pressure cuffs' are ways it can be spread, according to the CDC. The good news is that the CDC said 'healthy people typically do not get' this fungus. Baton Rouge woman to talk about mental health, fentanyl crisis on Capitol Hill House GOP Agriculture bill advances out of committee Clinical cases of drug-resistant fungus Candida auris continue to rise in Louisiana See when, where the New Orleans Saints will play in 2025 Mexican beauty influencer Valeria Márquez fatally shot during livestream Cassie testifies that Sean 'Diddy' Combs raped her and threatened to release sex videos Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Drug-resistant fungus Candida auris reported in these 17 states
(NEXSTAR) – The deadly and drug-resistant fungus Candida auris is under close surveillance as health experts work to calm its spread. Candida auris, also called C. auris, was first identified in the U.S. less than 10 years ago. Since then, the number of cases have increased every year. In 2025, new cases of Candida auris are about on track with the same time last year, according to data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, some states are seeing far more cases than others. Of the 1,052 cases reported to the CDC so far in 2025, about a quarter are in Texas. The Lone Star State has had 241 cases of Candida auris as of late April (the latest available data from the CDC). Other states seeing the fungus in large numbers include Michigan (185), Ohio (125), Virginia (99) and Arizona (98). Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wisconsin have also all reported new cases this year. The case counts are provisional, the CDC notes, and subject to change as more information becomes available. Fungus labeled 'urgent threat' by CDC is spreading rapidly, hospital study finds The CDC has considered the fungus 'an urgent antimicrobial resistance threat' because it has developed ways to defeat the drugs that are designed to kill it. When antifungal medications aren't effective, the fungus can spread more easily and infections can be hard or even impossible to treat. People with a healthy immune system may be able to fight off infection on their own, but Candida auris mainly spreads in health care settings, where people are sick and vulnerable. People with catheters, breathing tubes, feeding tubes and PICC lines are at the highest risk because the pathogen can enter the body through these types of devices. The fungus can survive on surfaces, like countertops, doorknobs, or even people's skin, for a long time before spreading to vulnerable patients. 'It's really good at just being, generally speaking, in the environment,' Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina, told Nexstar.' So if you have it on a patient's bed for example, on the railing, and you go to wipe everything down, if in whatever way maybe a couple of pathogens didn't get cleared, then they're becoming resistant. And so over time, they can kind of grow and populate in that hospital environment.' In the past, the CDC estimated that 'based on information from a limited number of patients, 30–60% of people with C. auris infections have died. However, many of these people had other serious illnesses that also increased their risk of death.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
