HOSPITAL chiefs have confirmed that patients have been treated for a drug-resistant fungus.

A “very small” number of patients suffering with fungal disease Candida auris have been transferred to GWH since last year, a hospital spokesman has confirmed.

The fungus has developed some resistance to drugs usually used to tackle it.

Across the country, doctors have been battling the fungal disease for over a year. Candida auris, which originated in Japan, can cause serious bloodstream and wound infections.

According to Public Health England, 200 patients have already been infected or colonised with the fungus – with patients spread across 20 separate NHS trusts and hospitals around the country.

Over 35 hospitals have had patients colonised with Candida auris transferred to them.

A spokesman for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “A very small number of patients with Candida auris have been transferred to GWH from other hospitals in the past 18 months.

“Each patient was isolated, and treated following Public Health England guidelines, as well as our own robust Infection Prevention and Control practices.”

There was no risk to patients or the public, a spokesman said.

Public Health England have updated their advice for hospitals and nursing homes on managing outbreaks of the fungus.

Candida auris was first identified in a Japanese patient in 2009. Since then, there have been outbreaks of the fungus in hospitals across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

The bacteria is a cousin of Candida albicans, which causes thrush.

In the UK, nobody infected with the fungus is believed to have died.

Scientists at Porton Down will look at whether certain antiseptics and disinfectants can help kill the fungus, Public Health England said.