WHO’s new plan urges stronger action against fungal diseases

The new oneA blueprint for strengthening responses to fungal diseases and antifungal resistanceissued on Tuesday, sets out practical steps to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.

Fungal disease affecting more than 300 million people each year and is associated with high mortality, long-term illness and major losses in health and productivity worldwide.

Increasing global threats

These range from common conditions such as ringworm and nail infections to severe invasive diseases that can be fatal especially for people with weakened immune systems, those receiving intensive care, people with HIV, transplant recipients, and cancer patients.

Meanwhile, Antifungal resistance is an increasing threat, driven in part by the widespread use of antifungal drugs and its analogues in the areas of human, animal and plant health, as well as environmental exposure to antifungal chemicals.

Despite this number of victims, WHO said fungal diseases are often not included in national treatment policies, estimates of the global burden of disease and most antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategies, universal health coverage and One Health – which is the UN agency’s initiative to take action in the areas of human, animal, plant and environmental health.

‘Concrete path forward’

The blueprint emerged roughly a month after the WHO decision-making body, viz World Health Assembly, adopted the latest Global Action Plan on AMR which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and become resistant to drugs designed to kill them, making infections more difficult to treat.

This disease remains one of the main threats to global health and development.

“The Renewable Global Action Plan on AMR approved by the 79th World Health Assembly recognizes that antifungal resistance is an integral part of the AMR challenge – and something we can no longer ignore ,” said Dr Jean Pierre Nyemazi, interim Director of WHO’s Department of Antimicrobial Resistance.

He added that the Blueprint “provides countries with a concrete path forward.”

Addressing critical gaps

Blueprint built on the first WHOList of Priority Fungal Pathogenspublished in 2022, which identified 19 fungal pathogens or groups of pathogens that require urgent research, development, and public health action .

It was developed through a multi-stage process and consultation with more than 150 experts from across WHO regions, including specialists in clinical mycology, diagnostics, stewardship, surveillance, regulatory policy, public health and patient advocacy.

The goal is to help countries address critical gaps in knowledge, diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, research, and workforce capacity, particularly in low-resource countries.

A practical framework for response

The WHO blueprint prioritizes interventions in four interrelated areas, providing a framework for implementation:

Domain 1 focuses on public health and health systems, including strengthening awareness and preparedness, antifungal treatment programs, workforce training, and infection prevention and control.

Domain 2 concerns expanding equitable access to quality antifungal medicines and diagnostics, while supporting research, innovation and markets.

Domain 3 prioritize strengthening laboratory and surveillance systems to support clinical management, inform public health decision making and improve outbreak preparedness

Domain 4address social and environmental factors, including agricultural, environmental, and One Health factors that may contribute to the epidemiology of fungal diseases and antifungal resistance.

“Fungal diseases and antifungal resistance remain a priority in national health plans, AMR strategies and surveillance systems.

“This blueprint provides a practical framework for countries to strengthen their responses,” said Hatim Sati, Technical Officer in WHO’s Department of Antimicrobial Resistance, who led the development of this guide.