«Candida auris» detected in Southern Cyprus

In Southern Cyprus, the fungus «Candida auris» has been detected, Cypriot media reported on September 15, 2025, citing a report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and a comment from microbiologist Michalis Mendris.

The ECDC report notes that during 2013–2023, over 4,000 cases of «Candida auris» infection were recorded in hospitals across European Union countries. According to Michalis Mendris, during the reporting period, cases were primarily registered in Spain and Greece, as well as in Italy, Romania, and Germany.

Mendris, a member of the Center for Microbiology and Epidemiological Surveillance, told OMEGA TV that in Southern Cyprus 13 confirmed cases were recorded in the same period, and after 2023, sporadic cases were observed. He did not provide specific data on the most recent cases.

The material notes that «Candida auris» is difficult to detect, often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, and can have a mortality rate of 30–70%. The infection spreads mainly in hospital settings — in intensive care units and among patients with prolonged hospitalization or medical devices; cleaning such foci is challenging.

The Ministry of Health of Southern Cyprus has sent hospitals guidelines for the prevention and control of «Candida auris». For residents, this means increased attention to infection control measures in hospitals and information from medical institutions about the measures being taken.