Listen to Story The world is experiencing a crisis in antibiotic resistance, causing almost 5 million deaths annually. However, bacteria are not the only concern. Fungal infections are also evolving and becoming resistant to the medicines used to treat them , creating what some researchers are calling a "silent pandemic.
" According to molecular biologist Norman van Rhijn from the University of Manchester, fungal infections and antifungal resistance are being overlooked in global health discussions. He explained, "The threat of fungal pathogens and antifungal resistance, even though it is a growing global issue, is being left out of the debate." In September, the United Nations will host a meeting in New York City to discuss antimicrobial resistance.
This meeting will focus on resistant bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Norman van Rhijn, along with an international group of scientists, is urging governments, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry to broaden their focus beyond just bacteria. Fungal infections are evolving and becoming resistant to the medicines used to treat them.
(Photo: Getty Images) In their comments in The Lancet study , van Rhijn and his colleagues stressed that fungal infections must not be ignored in efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. Without urgent action, fungal infections could become even more dangerous. Currently, these infections affect 6.
5 million people each year and lead to 3.8 million deaths. Fungal diseases such as Asperg.