The World Health Organization (WHO) published the "Blueprint for strengthening responses to fungal disease and antifungal resistance" on June 30, 2026. The document outlines steps to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of fungal diseases and antifungal resistance globally.

Fungal diseases affect more than 300 million people annually and are associated with high mortality, long-term illness, and losses in health and productivity. These conditions range from common issues like ringworm to severe invasive diseases, which can be deadly for individuals with weakened immune systems, those in intensive care, people living with HIV, transplant recipients, and cancer patients.

Antifungal resistance develops partially due to the widespread use of antifungal medications and similar compounds across human, animal, and plant health sectors. Environmental exposure to antifungal chemicals also contributes to the increase in resistance. The WHO stated that fungal diseases are often absent from national health treatment policies, global burden-of-disease estimates, and most strategies concerning antimicrobial resistance, universal health coverage, and One Health initiatives.

The Blueprint aims to assist countries in addressing gaps in knowledge, diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, research, and workforce capacities, especially in low-resource settings. Hatim Sati, a Technical Officer in WHO's Department of Antimicrobial Resistance, led the development of this guidance. "Fungal disease and antifungal resistance remain an under addressed priority across national health plans, AMR strategies, and surveillance systems," Sati said. He added that the Blueprint offers countries "a practical framework to strengthen their response."

The Blueprint builds on the 2022 WHO Fungal Priority Pathogens List, which identified 19 fungal pathogens requiring research, development, and public health action. More than 150 experts from all WHO regions contributed to the Blueprint's development, including specialists in clinical mycology, diagnostics, stewardship, surveillance, regulatory policy, public health, and patient advocacy.

Roughly one month before the Blueprint's release, the World Health Assembly adopted an updated Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). "The Updated Global Action Plan on AMR approved by the 79th World Health Assembly recognised that antifungal resistance is an integral part of the AMR challenge – and one we can no longer afford to overlook," said Dr. Jean Pierre Nyemazi, interim Director of WHO's Department of Antimicrobial Resistance. Nyemazi also stated that the Blueprint provides countries with "a concrete path forward."