Introduction to the Fungus Outbreak
A dangerous fungus spreading among US healthcare systems isn’t slowing down, reports claim. New research has revealed that Candida auris (C. auris) has spread rapidly in hospitals since it was first reported in 2016. In March 2023, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 4,000 new clinical cases of C. auris, dubbing it an “urgent antimicrobial (AR) threat.” The fungus can be resistant to multiple antifungal drugs and can cause “life-threatening illness.”
Spread of the Fungus
C. auris “spreads easily” in healthcare facilities and mostly impacts people who are already sick, the CDC stated on its website. A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control on March 17 analyzed clinical cultures of C. auris across the US collected from 2019 to 2023.
View in microscopic of Candidiasis, fungus infection. arcyto – stock.adobe.com
The number of clinical cultures increased by 580% from 2019 to 2020, by 251% in 2021, by 46% in 2022, and by 7% in 2023.
Research Findings
“The volumes of clinical cultures with C. auris have rapidly increased, accompanied by an expansion in the sources of infection,” concluded the researchers, primarily from the University of Miami. JoAnna Wagner with the Georgia Department of Public Health shared with local ABC News affiliate WJCL that Georgia, one of the impacted states, has detected more than 1,300 cases as of the end of February. “Many of the disinfectants that are EPA-registered and historically used by hospitals and medical facilities are not effective against C. Auris,” Wagner said.
Medical Concerns
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone, considers C. auris an “emerging problem of great concern,” he told Fox News Digital. “It is resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, and it tends to spread in hospital settings, including on equipment being used on immunocompromised and semi-immunocompromised patients, such as ventilators and catheters,” he said. C. auris “spreads easily” in healthcare facilities and mostly impacts people who are already sick, the CDC stated on its website. NVB Stocker – stock.adobe.com
“Unfortunately, symptoms such as fever, chills and aches may be ubiquitous, and it can be mistaken for other infections.”
Ongoing Efforts
“Major research” is ongoing to develop new treatments, according to Siegel. “This is part of a much larger problem of emerging antibiotic resistance in the US and around the world,” the physician cautioned. JoAnna Wagner with the Georgia Department of Public Health shared with local ABC News affiliate WJCL that Georgia, one of the impacted states, has detected more than 1,300 cases as of the end of February. Acronym – stock.adobe.com
“At the same time, sterilization and disinfection measures in hospitals can be very helpful.”
Current Measures
Healthcare facilities in Georgia are reportedly using US Environmental Protection Agency-certified cleaners designed to attack the fungus. Although C. auris can cause severe infections with high death rates in sick individuals, it is “not a threat to healthy people,” according to the CDC.
Conclusion
The rapid spread of C. auris in US hospitals is a significant concern due to its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs and its ability to cause life-threatening illnesses. Ongoing research and efforts to develop new treatments, as well as improved sterilization and disinfection measures, are crucial in combating this emerging problem.
FAQs
- Q: What is Candida auris (C. auris)?
A: C. auris is a type of fungus that can cause life-threatening illnesses and is resistant to multiple antifungal drugs. - Q: How does C. auris spread?
A: C. auris spreads easily in healthcare facilities, primarily affecting people who are already sick. - Q: What are the symptoms of C. auris infection?
A: Symptoms may include fever, chills, and aches, which can be mistaken for other infections. - Q: Is C. auris a threat to healthy individuals?
A: According to the CDC, C. auris is not a threat to healthy people but can cause severe infections with high death rates in sick individuals. - Q: What is being done to combat C. auris?
A: Major research is ongoing to develop new treatments, and healthcare facilities are using EPA-certified cleaners to attack the fungus, along with improved sterilization and disinfection measures.
