Candida is an uncommon type of fungus that can cause a range of illnesses. To date, it has only been seen in hospital patients. In some cases patients can have no symptoms. However, C. auris can lead to bloodstream, wound and ear infections.

C. auris is commonly resistant to the first-line antifungal treatment and can develop resistance to other classes of antifungal drugs. Therefore, microbiologists need to do specific tests to identify the best treatment for each patient. So far, no multi-drug resistant strains of Candida auris have been found in the UK

Sporadic cases of C. auris have been identified throughout England since 2013 and more than 40 cases seen so far have been identified in an adult critical care unit at a hospital in England which is managing an outbreak of C. auris. 2 cases have also been identified from another hospital and investigations are ongoing to identify if there are any further cases.

Dr Berit Muller-Pebody, Antimicrobial Resistance Section Head at PHE , said: