Potentially Deadly Fungus Candida Auris On Rise Across Us Hospitals

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are warning of a potentially deadly and drug-resistant fungus disease spreading rapidly in hospitals across the U.S.

According to a report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Monday, cases of candida auris have increased in recent years and saw a “dramatic” uptick in 2021.

“A total of 3270 clinical cases and 7413 screening cases of C auris were reported in the United States through 31 December 2021. The percentage increase in clinical cases grew each year, from a 44% increase in 2019 to a 95% increase in 2021,” the report read.

Candida auris is a fungus that causes serious bloodstream infections and even death among people with compromised immune systems.

The CDC noted that the spread of the infections in 2021 may have been associated with the COVID-19 pandemic as the healthcare system was hit by pandemic-related stressors, such as staff and equipment shortages.

An infection may be indicated by a high fever and chills that persist after taking antibiotics. According to the paper, those who are very ill, use invasive medical equipment like mechanical ventilators, or have prolonged or repeated hospital admissions are particularly vulnerable to the infections.

“The rapid rise and geographic spread of cases is concerning and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance, expanded lab capacity, quicker diagnostic tests, and adherence to proven infection prevention and control,” study leader Dr. Meghan Lyman said in a statement.

The agency also said that the fungus can live on surfaces for several weeks, and the potentially fatal fungus in question often cannot be treated with traditional antifungal medications, which contributes to an increase in infections.

The authors of the paper also claim that the number of drug-resistant strains is increasing. The rise in cases that are incurable and evidence of worsening transmission were deemed “particularly concerning” by the health officials.

The report did not include data from 2022, but the CDC’s website shows 2,377 cases of confirmed Candida auris infections in the U.S. last year, a sharp increase from 53 in 2016, the year in which cases were initially reported in the country.