The deadly fungus Candidozyma Auris has spread to 72 UK hospitals in the last two years alone as medics previously warned the fatal infection is resistant to medications
A killer fungus posing a deadly risk to patients is invading UK hospitals, a secret Government memo reportedly states. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) document warns of “significant outbreaks” of highly infectious Candidozyma Auris.
The alarming increase comes despite the “under-reporting” of cases to the NHS and the memo also warns the NHS is currently underprepared for the disease. The grim disease can lie dormant for years and has the ability to survive on surfaces and people’s skin for years.
The fungus can be deadly if it gets access to the blood stream through cuts and scratches. Worryingly, it is showing more and more evidence of being resistant to antifungal medications and is most dangerous for patients with weak immune systems.
The secret memo, reported by The Mail on Sunday, stated the deadly fungus had spread to 72 hospitals in the last two years alone.
Following an incident in the United Arab Emirates, which saw the infection strike a man’s brain, the World Health Organisation (WHO) previously released a stark warning about the Candida auris (C. auris) infection. Their reports say the infection is spreading across hospitals, and can be resistant to drugs and treatments provided by those facilities.
The infection was discovered in 2009 after it showed up in the ear canal of a 70-year-old Japanese woman. Since then, it has been linked to several deaths around the world.
Figures suggest one in three people who contract the infection die from it. With alarming reports of drug resistance, the WHO have warned patients to stay vigilant.
The fungus can survive on hospital surfaces for weeks and is often resistant to disinfectants and medication. Once in your system it can spread to the blood, brain, spinal cord, bones, abdomen, ears, lungs and urinary system.
According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, C. auris is “a type of yeast that is not visible to the naked eye. Under a microscope, C. auris cells appear as small, oval-shaped structures, typically around 2.5-5 micrometers in size.”
As for the symptoms, it depends on the location and severity of the infection. However, common signs include fever, chills, and exhaustion. In extreme cases, C. auris can cause bloodstream, wound, ear and respiratory infections.
The Daily Star has reached out to the UKHSA for a comment.
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