Emerging fungus has healthcare providers on alert.
An emerging fungus first reported in 2016 has risen to the level of “urgent threat” in healthcare facilities in less than a decade.
Candida auris is a yeast that can lead to serious infections, including bloodstream, wound, and ear infections, particularly in healthcare settings, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Many strains of C. auris are resistant to common antifungal treatments, making infections harder to treat.
C. auris spreads easily between patients in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, especially on surfaces and medical equipment. People can have C. auris on their skin and other body sites without having symptoms, the CDC notes. Healthcare providers refer to this as ‘colonization.’ People who are colonized can spread C. auris onto surfaces and objects around them and to other patients.
Cases of C. auris have been on the rise in recent years. The CDC reported 4,514 new clinical cases in the United States in 2023, marking a continued increase since the first case was identified in 2016. The Los Angeles Times reported that during this same period, California reported 1,566 infections, more than any other state.
The CDC declared C. auris an “urgent threat” in a 2023 public safety announcement because of how resistant it is to many antifungal drugs, and how rapidly it can spread in healthcare settings.
It mainly affects individuals with severe underlying health conditions or those who use invasive medical devices, like catheters or feeding tubes. Healthy people are typically not at risk.
Prevention
Healthcare workers should be aware of several key strategies to prevent the spread of C. auris in healthcare settings:
1. Hand hygiene. Frequent hand cleaning with alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS) or soap and water if hands are soiled is crucial.
2. Infection control measures. Patients with C. auris, whether infected or colonized, should be isolated in a separate room. Gloves, gowns and frequent cleaning of the patient’s room with special disinfectants are essential.
3. Screening: Regular screening for C. auris colonization helps identify asymptomatic carriers who could spread the infection.
4. Precautions when transferring patients. Notify receiving healthcare facilities if a patient has tested positive for C. auris or has been in an outbreak area to prevent transmission.
“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,” said CDC epidemiologist Dr. Meghan Lyman.