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Cyprus has joined the list of European countries facing a rising threat from a deadly fungus, Candidozyma auris, experts warn. The fungus, which primarily spreads in hospitals, has sparked concern due to its resistance to many antifungal drugs.
Speaking on the Alpha Kalimera show, epidemiologist Dr. Petros Karagiannis explained that C. auris first appeared in Japan in 2009 and has since spread worldwide. “Due to the use of antifungal drugs in agriculture, it has developed resistance, which means we don’t have many other drugs to fight it,” he said.
The fungus usually colonizes the skin, posing little risk to healthy people. But once it enters the bloodstream or organs, it can cause severe, difficult-to-treat infections, particularly in hospital patients.
Countries reporting the highest number of cases include Spain, Italy, Greece, and Germany. Cyprus has recorded some infections, though numbers remain low for now, Karagiannis noted.
Health officials are monitoring the situation closely, urging hospitals to maintain strict hygiene and infection control measures to keep the fungus from spreading further.
