The UK Health Security Agency said the fungal pathogen was gaining attention from healthcare professionals and public health authorities worldwide.
Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris (C. auris) is a yeast species first found in Japan (Image: Getty, UKHSA )
A deadly fungus firest identified in the Far East and spreading across the world might sound like the plot from the hit US TV series ‘The Last of Us’, but the doomsday scenario has become a reality as a fungus originating from Japan is causing alarm for health officials in the UK.
Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris (C. auris) is a yeast species first isolated and identified in the external ear canal of a patient in Japan in 2009 and has since been found in more than 40 countries across six continents. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), what makes C. auris “particularly concerning” is its “remarkable resilience”, which allows it to survive on surfaces for long periods of time, and it is often resistant to disinfectants and common antifungal drugs.
A person can contract C. auris through a fungal infection into the blood, brain and spinal cord, bones, abdomen, wounds, ears, respiratory tract, and urinary system. In extreme cases, especially in people who already have existing health issues, the fungus can be fatal in between 30% and 60% of patients.
Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris (C. auris) is a yeast species from Japan (Image: Getty )
In a statement released by the UKHSA on May 29, the body 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.”
Candidozyma (formerly Candida) auris (C. auris) is a yeast species from Japan (Image: Gettu )
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified the emerging fungus as one of 19 lethal fungi that pose a “serious threat to humanity” in a recent report.
WHO said despite the growing concern, 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.”
