It is the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, ECDC, that now warns of the fungus Candidozyma auris, or Candida auris, as it was previously called. In a new report, they write that the fungus poses a serious threat to patients and healthcare.
Spain, Greece, Italy, Romania, and Germany have the largest spread, but overall, the number of cases has increased sharply in Europe, and as many as 1,300 new cases were reported in 2023 alone. According to ECDC, the fungus is often resistant to treatment and can pose a risk, especially for people with multiple illnesses and fragile individuals who are at risk of being infected in the bloodstream.
In Sweden, no outbreaks have been detected, but between 2020 and February 2024, six cases of the fungus have been reported here, according to the Public Health Agency. All are said to have been infected in other countries.
Survives for a long time
We should take it seriously, but a healthy person moving around in society does not need to be worried, says Olov Aspevall, investigator and chief physician at the Public Health Agency.
Candidozyma auris is mainly spread through contact infection, and the fact that it spreads in hospitals is probably due to the fact that the yeast fungus can survive for a long time on surfaces such as curtains and walls.
Intensive care units are particularly vulnerable.
Primarily, it is people who are treated with medicines that weaken the immune system who are sensitive to infection, he says.
According to ECDC, it is important to detect cases quickly.
Basic care hygiene
”Early detection and rapid, coordinated infection control can still prevent further spread”, says Diamantis Plachouras, head of ECDC, in a press release.
A healthy person can have the fungus on their skin without becoming ill. But it is also in this way that it is transmitted.
Olov Aspevall says that basic care hygiene is the most important thing to avoid the spread of infection.
We have a high level of this in Sweden, which reduces the risk of outbreaks, he says.
The Public Health Agency has surveillance and keeps track of whether outbreaks or spread should occur.
Petra Hedbom/TT
Facts: How the fungal disease spreads
TT
Like other yeast fungi, Candidozyma auris (C. auris) is mainly spread through contact infection and spreads particularly easily in hospitals. Possible reasons for this are the yeast fungus's ability to colonize the skin and long survival on surfaces.
Infections with C. auris have primarily affected people with multiple illnesses and debuted after long hospital stays.
Symptoms and treatment:
C. auris can cause severe, care-related infections, usually infections in the bloodstream.
The disease is treated primarily with antifungal medications, but resistance occurs.
Source: Public Health Agency
