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Are the health systems equipped with resources to tackle the growing burden of fungal infections?

Content Editor: Dr. Swathi Shenoy

July 10, 2024 at 2:30:00 PM

Fungal Infections, One Health, Infectious diseases

Content Editor: Dr. Swathi Shenoy
  • In the past few decades, there has been an increase in new and re-emergent fungal diseases, which are known to primarily affect animals.

  • The “one health” approach is the best way to combat such novel diseases.

  • A review emphasizing the importance of integrating this approach to control the growing global fungal infections.

  • The review highlights that the current health systems have been geared against viral infections due to COVID-19; however, the systems need to be more robust in handling the growing fungal infections.

  • Fungal infections lead to over 2 million deaths annually, but this census is often concealed by listing the deaths under the underlying disease.

  • A few essential fungal infections that have wreaked havoc include:

  1. Human outbreaks of Sporothrix brasiliensis

  2. Fungal keratitis related to agricultural activities

  3. Sporotrichosis related to unprotected horticultural activities

  • Some of the recommendations provided by the review are as follows:

  1. Routine use of simple and inexpensive diagnostic tests will reduce unnecessary anti-bacterial therapy.

  2. Restriction of the use of azole fungicides in agriculture to reduce the emergence of resistance

  3. Cautious development of newer azoles for the treatment of these infections.

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