Fungal Disease Awareness Week 2026: a week to think fungus.

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Fungal Disease Awareness Week runs from 14–18 September 2026. Now in its tenth year, the CDC-led campaign brings together clinicians, laboratories, researchers, public-health organisations and advocates to improve recognition of fungal disease and the need for better diagnostics and treatments.

Fungal infections remain frequently missed or diagnosed late. This can delay appropriate treatment, contribute to unnecessary antibacterial prescribing, and—in some cases—lead to serious or chronic illness. Awareness is particularly important as antifungal resistance grows and the limited number of antifungal drug classes places pressure on effective treatment options.

This week’s themes

  • Monday 14 September: primary care—considering fungal infection when an infection is not improving.
  • Tuesday 15 September: antifungal resistance.
  • Wednesday 16 September: travel-associated fungal infections.
  • Thursday 17 September: fungal skin infections.
  • Friday 18 September: fungal diagnostics and therapeutics—the need for research and development that improves diagnosis and treatment.

The final theme is especially pertinent. Earlier diagnosis, access to reliable testing, susceptibility testing and antifungal stewardship all play a central role in improving outcomes for people with fungal disease.

Webinars this week

Several open webinars accompany the campaign, including sessions on antifungal resistance, travel-associated fungal infections, fungal skin disease, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic challenges in antifungal therapy, and new diagnostic approaches.

On Friday 18 September, the American Society for Microbiology will host Beyond Detection: Novel Diagnostics Driving the Future of Fungal Disease Management, examining developments in fungal diagnostics, susceptibility testing and their use in clinical decision-making and antifungal stewardship.

We encourage colleagues across respiratory medicine, infectious diseases, microbiology, pharmacy, laboratory science and public health to use the week to share reliable information and keep fungal disease on the clinical agenda.

The dates, themes and webinars are confirmed on the CDC’s Fungal Disease Awareness Week page.

View Fungal Disease Awareness Week resources and webinar registrations from CDC.