Killer fungus is now threat to UK as urgent warning issued

An urgent warning has been sounded as a “threat to humanity” fungus is now spreading across the UK, sparking concern amongst health professionals.

Originally discovered in Japan’s patient ear canal back in 2009, Candidozyma (previously known as Candida) auris (C. auris) has been detected in over 40 countries globally on six continents, with reports of its presence causing alarm.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stressed that the fungus poses a significant worry due to its “remarkable resilience”, enabling it to linger on various surfaces for extended periods.

This particular yeast genre not only resists many antifungal treatments but also isn’t easily vanquished by typical disinfectants. An individual can pick up C.

auris through numerous types of fungal invasions, including blood, brain, spinal cord, bones, wounds, and even respiratory and urinary tracts, reports the Mirror.

Those with pre-existing health complications face heightened danger from this lethal fungus, as dire outcomes have led to fatality rates ranging from 30% to 60% in patients, according to the Express findings. As of yesterday, the UKHSA released an advisory stating: “C. auris represents a growing global health concern, particularly in healthcare settings where it can spread rapidly and resist treatment and some disinfectants.”

The report emphasised that while the fungus isn’t yet pervasive in England, vigilance is paramount to mitigate the risk within hospitals. By adhering to strict infection prevention strategies, scrupulous cleanliness, continuous vigilance, and relentless research efforts, we can aim to contain its transmission.

“particularly concerning”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 identified the fungus as one of 19 lethal fungi posing a “serious threat to humanity” in a recent report. According to the health organisation, fungal infections “receive very little attention and resources, leading to a scarcity of quality data on fungal disease distribution and antifungal resistance patterns.

“As a result, it stated that “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 issued a warning that a lethal fungus, already infecting millions of people in warmer regions of the world, could soon spread across Europe and reach the UK.

“The Aspergillus fungus, already recognised as a threat in tropical and subtropical climates, causes severe brain infections in humans, kills livestock, and makes crops unfit for consumption.With global temperatures on the rise, researchers warn that its reach is rapidly expanding, and the UK could be next in line. “

Fans of The Last of Us might recognise a 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 cautioned that infections like invasive aspergillosis, which spreads from the lungs to other organs, currently claim 1.8 million lives globally each year.

“Most fungi live in the environment,” he stated. “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 latest research reveals that species like Aspergillus fumigatus, flavus, and niger are predicted to migrate northward from their present hotspots in Africa and South America, reaching parts of Europe, the UK, and even Scandinavia.

Even in a hopeful climate scenario where warming is restricted to around 2C, Aspergillus fungi would still expand considerably – while likely retreating from southern Europe, which may become too hot even for these heat-loving pathogens.

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