HAIRS risk statement: sporotrichosis
Risk review and statement on the risk sporotrichosis in cats presents to the UK human population.
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Sporotrichosis is an infection caused by a group of dimorphic fungi, which have a global distribution. Humans typically become infected through contact with fungal spores in contaminated environments. Zoonotic transmission of sporotrichosis has also been described.
In 2022, a zoonotic outbreak involving 3 human cases of sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis was reported in the UK, where the most likely source of infection was a domestic cat imported from Brazil. These were the first ever cases of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis identified in the UK.
This risk statement provides a qualitative description of the current risk to the UK human population and highlights evidence gaps and recommendations for mitigating against the risk of zoonotic transmission.