As the world is struggling with the rising COVID-19 cases, another global health threat may be lingering, notes UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), it is the Candidozyma auris.

It is a recently discovered fundus, notes the UKHSA, and is a type of microorganism, which can make you ill. We are often surrounded by fungi, but do not realise it. However, there may be some kind which could pose significant health threats and can also spread silently, even in hospitals. This is Candidozyma auris, or the C. auris, which was formerly known as Candida auris.

C. auris rarely causes infections in healthy people but can be dangerous for those in hospitals—especially patients who are critically ill, have been admitted for long periods, or have weakened immune systems. First discovered in 2009 in a patient’s ear in Japan, it has since spread to over 40 countries across six continents. What makes C. auris particularly worrisome is its ability to survive on surfaces for extended periods, including in hospital settings, and its resistance to many commonly used treatments and disinfectants.

How Does It Spread?

C. auris mainly spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces, medical equipment, or directly from people who carry the fungus. Some individuals may have C. auris on their skin without showing symptoms—this is called colonisation. However, if the fungus enters the body through a wound or medical device like a catheter or drip, it can lead to infection.

In healthcare settings, C. auris can easily pass from one person to another. Colonisation can happen simply by touching surfaces or items that carry the fungus. It has been found on various hospital objects, including bedside equipment, radiators, sinks, windowsills, and medical tools such as thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, and stethoscopes.

What Are The Illnesses Caused By C. auris?

C. auris infections can vary in severity. Some people may carry the fungus without any symptoms, while others can develop serious infections in the blood, brain, spinal cord, bones, abdomen, wounds, ears, lungs, or urinary tract. Even those without symptoms can still develop an infection later or spread the fungus to others.

Who is at risk?

C. auris mainly affects people in hospitals or other healthcare settings, particularly those with weakened immune systems. This includes:

• Patients who have received medical care abroad in the past year, especially from countries with ongoing C. auris outbreaks
• Individuals with long hospital stays
• Patients using medical devices that go inside the body (like catheters or IV lines)
• People in intensive care units
• Those who have taken certain antibiotics previously
• People who are colonised (carrying the fungus without symptoms) can do so for months or even years, putting them at ongoing risk of infection and making it easier for the fungus to spread to others.

A new strain of coronavirus discovered in China, known as HKU5-CoV-2, could be only a few mutations away from triggering the next deadly pandemic, say American scientists. The virus was identified by researchers at Washington State University (WSU). The researchers have said that it shares close genetic similarities with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)—a highly lethal virus that kills nearly a third of those it infects. The findings have raised serious concern in the global scientific community.

A Close Cousin of MERS

MERS, which emerged in 2012 and has caused sporadic outbreaks primarily in the Arabian Peninsula, is known for its severe respiratory symptoms and high mortality rate. HKU5-CoV-2, the new virus under scrutiny, belongs to the merbecovirus family—a group of viruses that includes MERS. While not yet known to infect humans, scientists warn that a minor genetic mutation could allow it to do so, raising the possibility of another global health emergency similar to COVID-19.

“This virus may be only a small step away from being able to spill over into humans,” said Professor Michael Letko, a virologist at WSU and co-lead author of the study.

What the Study Found

The study focused on how HKU5-CoV-2 interacts with human cells. Originally found in bats, this virus was identified by Chinese scientists from the same lab some speculate may have been linked to the origins of COVID-19. In the new study, WSU researchers examined the virus's ability to bind to human ACE2 receptors—proteins located in the nose, mouth, and throat that serve as entry points for coronaviruses.

Using advanced cryo-electron microscopy, researchers captured detailed images of the virus's spike protein, revealing that key segments of the spike often remain “closed.” This closed structure typically makes infection harder—but not impossible.

The team observed that while human cells generally resist infection from HKU5-CoV-2, the virus could latch onto human ACE2 receptors if specific mutations occur. These mutations could enable the virus to enter human cells more effectively, increasing its potential to cause disease.

Risks from Intermediate Animal Hosts

Another concern is the possibility of the virus mutating in intermediate animal hosts, such as mink or civets, before jumping to humans. Such transmission chains have been seen in other coronavirus outbreaks, including both SARS and MERS. If HKU5-CoV-2 were to infect these animals, it might gain the ability to infect humans more efficiently, scientists warn.

“Viruses that are already this close to MERS in structure and function are definitely worth monitoring,” Letko emphasized.

Lineage 2 and Immediate Threats

Earlier in 2025, researchers in Wuhan reported that one strain of HKU5—Lineage 2—already shows the ability to bind to human ACE2 receptors without further mutation. This suggests that some forms of the virus may already be equipped to infect humans.

Building on that discovery, the WSU team expanded their research to look at the entire merbecovirus family. Their findings indicate that several other strains, not just Lineage 2, may only require minimal changes to become capable of infecting humans.

Vigilance Needed

As the world continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists stress the importance of ongoing surveillance and pre-emptive research into emerging viruses like HKU5-CoV-2. Even if they cannot yet infect humans, understanding their structure and behavior is crucial for early intervention.

"The lesson from COVID-19 is clear—we cannot afford to ignore even small viral threats," Letko concluded.

An anthrax outbreak has hit Thailand's top tourist areas and has killed man, while four have been hospitalized, confirmed health officials.

As per the authorities, they are now racing against the time to trace the source of this dangerous livestock disease, which has a highly infectious bacterial infection.

What Is Anthrax?

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anthrax is a serious disease usually caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria. The bacteria is found in soil around the world and commonly affect livestock and wild animals. People who usually get sick with anthrax may have come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

People can breathe in anthrax spores, eat food or drink water contaminated with spores or get spores in a cut or scrape in the skin.

What Is Happening In Thailand?

According to Thai authorities, the 53-year-old victim from Mukdahan, near the Laos border, died after showing symptoms consistent with anthrax. He developed a dark lesion on his hand just days after slaughtering a cow last month. Soon after, he experienced swollen lymph nodes, dizziness, and seizures. Although he sought treatment at a local hospital, he died before doctors could intervene effectively. Laboratory tests later confirmed that he had contracted anthrax, local media reported.

Early investigations suggest the man was exposed to anthrax after a cow was slaughtered during a religious ceremony. The meat was shared and consumed within the village, and four other people from the same province later fell ill—each case linked to infected cattle or contaminated meat.

Doctors say three of the infected individuals are close to full recovery, though a fifth case has now been reported. In response, officials have quarantined all animals—including vaccinated cattle—within a five-kilometre radius of the outbreak. Tests on meat, knives, chopping boards, and soil came back positive for anthrax spores. Authorities are currently monitoring over 600 people who may have been exposed to infected livestock or meat.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), local authorities have “identified and provided post-exposure prophylaxis to all high-risk contacts” and “implemented a robust set of control measures.” They added: “Currently, due to the robust public health measures implemented by Thailand, the risk of international disease spreading through animal movement remains low.”

What Are The Types Of Anthrax?

Cutaneous Anthrax

Cutaneous anthrax is the most common—and least dangerous—form of the infection. It occurs when anthrax spores enter the body through a cut, scrape, or open wound on the skin. This often happens while handling infected animals or contaminated animal products like wool, hides, or hair. The infection typically appears on the head, neck, forearms, or hands as a sore that turns into a black-centered ulcer.

Inhalation Anthrax

This is the most severe and life-threatening type of anthrax. It happens when someone breathes in airborne spores, often in environments like wool mills, slaughterhouses, or tanneries where infected animal products may be present. The disease usually begins in the lymph nodes of the chest before spreading rapidly throughout the body.

Gastrointestinal Anthrax

Gastrointestinal anthrax occurs when someone eats raw or undercooked meat from an infected animal. Although rare—especially in the United States—it can affect the throat, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Symptoms vary but can include sore throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and severe digestive issues.

Welder’s Anthrax

Recently identified, this rare form of anthrax has been found in welders and metalworkers. It leads to severe pneumonia and can be fatal. Workers in metal industries who experience sudden fever, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood should seek medical attention immediately.

Injection Anthrax

This type has been reported among heroin-injecting drug users in northern Europe. It occurs when spores are introduced deep under the skin or into the muscle through contaminated drugs. Though similar to cutaneous anthrax, it causes more severe infections in deeper tissues. It has not yet been reported in the United States.

As per the latest American Lung Association report, nearly half of Americans, around 156 million people live in areas that received a failing grade in air quality.

The East Coast has seen a rise in air pollution that came after wildfires and heatwaves, breaking through West Coast city domination of the most annual exposure to fine particulate matter. These were based on the association's "State of the State" report based on 2021 to 2023 data. Most of this is to be attributed to the 2023 Canadian wildfires and the extreme heatwaves.

How Was Air Quality Measured?

Three indicators were used to measure air quality, namely: ozone air pollution, short-term particle pollution and long-term particle pollution.

Exposure to unhealthy air can cause many health risks to a person and could increase the chance of stroke, ischemic heart disease, severity in asthma attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and pneumonia. Air pollution is also linked with increased fetal and infant mortality and pregnancy complication, along with cognitive decline.

Here Are The Top 10 US Cities With Worst Air Pollution:

10. Fairbanks-College, Alaska

This region continues to perform poorly on particulate matter pollution. The area has also been prone to wildfire smoke, use of wood-burning stoves, aggressive heating methods, and large vehicles.

9. Cleveland-Akon-Canton, Ohio

This region experienced a dramatic fall that placed it from 54th to ninth rank in highest exposure of annual particulate matter.

8. Houston-Pasadena, Texas

It is on the list due to the ozone pollution.

7. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, California

The Bay Area is one of six regions in California that rank among the top 10 in the country for annual particle pollution exposure. Frequent wildfires driven by dry conditions contribute to poor air quality across all three pollution measures in the report. The region also ranks 11th for short-term particle pollution and 14th for ozone pollution. These environmental hazards impact a population of 9 million people, nearly 6 million of whom are people of color.

6. Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Detroit metro area is a latest addition in the long-term air pollution list, the region was impacted by the Canadian wildfires.

5. Lod Angeles-Long Beach, California

This is the worst rank for ozone pollution in the 25th time in the 26-year history of the 'State of the Air' report.

4. Eugene-Springfield, Oregon

This has ranked third for short-term air quality. The pollution has affected 381,000 people.

3. Fresno-Hanford-Corcoran, California

This region scored firth for both short-term and long-term air pollution and ozone pollution, and has slightly improved from precious years.

2. Visalia, California

This city experienced the highest-ever spike in particulate pollution since the start of the report.

1. Bakersfield-Delano, California

This region top the worst air pollution list for the sixth consecutive year, affection a population of 914,000 people.

Air Pollution And Its Impact

Previously, residents of the US, Canada, and UK also reported mysterious, dense fog. Many residents posted videos that claimed the fog smelled like "burning chemical".

Many on TikTok shared the video of the dense fog, calling it "toxic". The people also shared: "The weirdest part is the taste and smell. It smells like after you set off a bunch of fireworks, and the air tastes toxic. It is super weird". Someone else on X, previously Twitter claimed that the air smells like burning plastic.

Pollution is related with many health risks, a thick fog during winter may not be a reason for concern. However, the residents claiming it to be toxic due to the smell or the adverse affects on their health may lead to it being a cause of concerns. Also, new research highlights a disturbing connection between long-term exposure to air pollution and a heightened danger of deadly blood clots, a condition which is underappreciated but also poses significant health risks. A study, published in Blood, examined how long-term exposure to some pollutants, including fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and nitric oxide, may heighten the chances of VTE hospitalizations.

The outcomes showed that the individuals who had exposure to pollutants in the higher quartile had:

• 43% increased risk of hospitalization for VTE associated with fine particulate matter.
• 2.8 times increased risk from nitrogen dioxide exposure.
• 2.3 times increased risk due to nitric oxide.

Another 2021 study titled Effect of Air Pollution on Obesity in Children: A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, there is a connection between air pollution and weight gain through biological behavioral mechanism. The major pollutants causing obesity are nitrous oxides, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter. These could lead to systematic inflammation and metabolic disturbances, which can lead to weight gain and obesity. The study mentions that fine particulate matter [PM2.5], when it enters our body, it influences the metabolism rates.

A different study published in the JAMA Network Open, stated that higher levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure can increase the risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.