Latest news with #Candidozymaauris
Daily Mirror
11-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Candida auris: Killer fungus warning as 'global threat' already detected in UK
Candidozyma auris has been detected in more than 40 countries across the globe with between 30 per cent and 60 per cent of cases in patients turning out to be fatal A new warning has been issued over the spread of a killer fungus - with cases having already been detected in the UK. Cases of Candidozyma auris, previously known as candida auris, is spreading in hospitals around the globe and has since caused further alarm after becoming increasingly resistant to medicines that combat it. Following its discovery, the fungus has been associated with deaths with a fatality rate estimated to be one in three. The World Health Organisation listed C. auris as among the 19 lethal fungi and highlighted its "threat to global public health." A newly reported case found a 34-year-old man developed an infection about three months after he suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. It comes after the NHS warns mouth symptom could be life-shortening disease. Medical staff at Saqr Hospital in Ras Al-Khaimah said the man was admitted to intensive care with bleeding from his mouth. He also suffered from several cuts and was found to have severe scalp laceration, MailOnline reported. The man ended up needing three weeks in intensive care and was found to have multiple brain bleeds. He underwent emergency surgery where part of his skull ended up being removed to relieve pressure. Tests carried out following the surgery revealed he had a C. auris infection. The fungus was first identified in 2009 and it was discovered it could survive on hospital surfaces and the skin for lengthy periods of time. It is typically resistant to disinfectant and medication and has been found to spread to the blood, brain, spinal cords and bones. The fungus has become more resilient due to the overuse of antifungal agents, Doctors writing in the Journal of Medical Case Reports said: "The excessive use of antifungal agents in agriculture and healthcare has contributed to the development of antifungal resistance in C. auris. To our knowledge, this is the first case report documenting successful management of a C. auris external ventricular shunt infection without the use of intrathecal antifungal administration." People who suffer from existing preconditions are particularly considered to be at risk with the fungus being fatal in between an estimated 30 per cent and 60 per cent of patients, reports the Express. Cases of C. auris have been identified in more than 40 counties across six continents. A UKHSA report, the infection has been "rapidly emerging" across England and has drawn significant concern. The UKHSA report said: "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."
Wales Online
31-05-2025
- 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.
