Candida auris was first detected in 2009 and has since spread across the globe as an alarming rate as experts warn this ‘killer’ fungus could cause an outbreak
Scientists are worried about a ‘killer’ fungus that is not only drug-resistant, but is spreading across the world. According to research, the superbug is able to stick to human skin ‘like glue’ and infect it.
The fungus, known as Candida auris – also known as Candidozyma auris or C. auris – was flagged as a concerning pathogen by the WHO in 2022.
It has the potential to cause severe infections, especially in those with weakened immune systems. It is also able to cause outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes.
The fungus was initially discovered in Japan, from a patient’s ear. Since then, it’s spread across the world, and was a major public health threat in India in 2014. More recently, high case numbers of C. auris have been causing alarm in the USA.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the fungus has infected around 7000 people across 27 states. It’s also being detected in hospitals England, particularly after Covid-19.
A report published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in 2025 said: “There have been significant healthcare associated outbreaks affecting NHS trusts in London and the South-East of England.
“In settings outside of the UK, invasive C. auris infections have been associated with a high mortality rate. C. auris has also developed resistance to many available classes of antifungals, including the first-line agent fluconazole, and strains of C. auris which are resistant to all antifungals have been detected.”
C. auris is already found in at least 61 countries on six continents, and affects around 6.5 million people every year.
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