Killer fungus warning as pathogen dubbed 'threat to humanity' spreading in UK

An urgent warning has been issued as a 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 in 2009, but has since been found in more than 40 countries across six continents. The (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.

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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 . 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 in warmer parts of the could soon spread across Europe and reach the UK. The - already a known threat in tropical and subtropical climates - causes in humans, kills livestock, and renders crops unsafe to eat.

Now, with global temperatures rising, , 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 , speaking to

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.