The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has mapped cases of Candida auris (C. auris), a fungus that can cause severe and often multidrug-resistant infections, across the US.
C. auris is spread among patients in healthcare facilities through breathing tubes, feeding tubes, catheters, and urinary catheters. The infection can be life-threatening but is difficult to track due to its severity in already ill patients.
Between 2016 and 2023, there were over 10,700 reported clinical cases of C. auris in the US, with the highest numbers found in New York, Illinois, California, Florida, and Nevada. Other states with significant cases include Texas, New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Georgia, Maryland, Arizona, Virginia, Michigan, and Tennessee.
Symptoms of C. auris infections can be similar to those caused by bacterial infections, including fever, chills, and skin or ear infections. Colonized patients may not exhibit symptoms but can still spread the fungus to others and surfaces.
Treatment for C. auris is often challenging due to its resistance to multiple antifungal medicines. The CDC recommends using echinocandins as a primary treatment option, while combining multiple medications or trying newer treatments may be necessary for multidrug-resistant cases.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/candida-auris-fungus-cdc-2049583