Thousands of cases of a potentially deadly, drug-resistant fungus have been reported across 27 states so far this year, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of the week ending July 25, a total of 3,437 clinical cases of Candida auris (C. auris) had been documented in the U.S.
The majority of cases are concentrated in California, which accounts for approximately one-quarter of the country's total with 873 reported cases. Other states with high numbers include Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, Louisiana, Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Candida auris is a type of yeast that can cause serious infections, primarily in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. The fungus is highly transmissible between patients through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, such as bedrails, doorknobs, and shared medical equipment. It can also be spread by people who carry the fungus but do not show symptoms.
The health effects of C. auris can range from colonization without symptoms to potentially deadly invasive infections, including bloodstream infections. Those most at risk of infection include patients with severe underlying medical conditions, such as those using breathing tubes, feeding tubes, IVs, or catheters, or those who are hospitalized frequently or for long periods of time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified C. auris as an "urgent antimicrobial-resistance threat" due to its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs. Major research is ongoing to develop new treatments, but in the meantime, sterilization and disinfection measures in hospitals can be very helpful in preventing the spread of the fungus.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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