Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new Blueprint aimed at strengthening responses to fungal diseases and antifungal resistance. The plan outlines practical steps to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of fungal diseases, which affect over 300 million people annually worldwide.
Fungal diseases range from common conditions like ringworm to life-threatening invasive infections, especially among people with weakened immune systems, intensive care patients, HIV patients, transplant recipients, and cancer patients. Antifungal resistance is also rising, partly due to extensive use of antifungal medicines and chemicals in humans, animals, plants, and the environment.
Despite the significant health burden, WHO notes that fungal diseases are often excluded from national health strategies, global disease metrics, most antimicrobial resistance (AMR) programs, and initiatives such as universal health coverage and One Health, which integrates human, animal, plant, and environmental health.
The Blueprint follows the World Health Assembly’s approval of an updated Global Action Plan on AMR that recognizes antifungal resistance as a crucial part of the broader AMR challenge. Dr. Jean Pierre Nyemazi, interim Director of WHO’s Department of Antimicrobial Resistance, emphasized that antifungal resistance can no longer be overlooked, describing the Blueprint as a tangible path forward for countries.
Building on the 2022 Fungal Priority Pathogens List, which identified 19 key fungal threats requiring urgent attention, the Blueprint was developed through consultations with over 150 experts worldwide. These included clinical mycology, diagnostics, stewardship, surveillance, policy, and patient advocacy specialists. Its goal is to help countries address gaps in knowledge, diagnostics, treatment, surveillance, research, and workforce development, especially in resource-limited settings.