Deadly fungus spreading as 'threat to humanity' that kills 60 percent of patients

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 and has therefore been described as a "threat to humanity"

An urgent alert has been issued as a fungus, described as a "threat to humanity" is now spreading across the UK.

Candidozyma (formerly Candida) Auris (C. auris), first identified in a patient's external ear canal in Japan in 2009, has since been detected in over 40 countries on six continents.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has expressed concern about the fungus due to its "remarkable resilience" which allows it to survive on surfaces for extended periods.

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The yeast species often resists disinfectants and common antifungal drugs. It can infect individuals through the blood, brain and spinal cord, bones, abdomen, wounds, ears, respiratory tract, and urinary system, reports the Mirror.

Those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable, as the fungus can be fatal in 30% to 60% of patients in severe cases, according to the Express. In a statement released yesterday, the UKHSA 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 minimized.

"C. auris primarily spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces or medical equipment or via direct contact with individuals who are colonized. People can carry the fungus on their skin without developing an infection (called colonization). 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) recently included this fungus in its list of 19 lethal fungi that pose a "serious threat to humanity". The health organization pointed out that fungal infections "receive very little attention and resources, leading to a scarcity of quality data on fungal disease distribution and antifungal resistance patterns."

It further stated: "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), warned: "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 chilling climate change study revealed that a lethal fungus, already infecting millions in warmer regions, could soon spread across Europe and hit the UK. The Aspergillus fungus, known to wreak havoc 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 recognize a fictionalized version of this threat, but "the reality is already scary enough," said lead author Dr. Norman van Rhijn from the University of Manchester, in an interview with 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."

New research indicates that species like Aspergillus fumigatus, flavus, and niger are predicted to migrate northward from their current hotspots in Africa and South America, reaching parts of Europe, the UK, and even Scandinavia. Even in a best-case climate scenario where warming is limited to around 2C, these heat-loving pathogens would still expand significantly - while likely retreating from southern Europe, which may become too hot even for them.