Recent reports highlight a surge in C. auris cases in Georgia and alarming rates in Florida hospitals, underscoring the ongoing threat this fungus poses to public health.

Complicating infection control efforts, many EPA-registered disinfectants commonly used in hospitals are ineffective against C. auris.

Ongoing research is focused on developing new treatments for C. auris, which is part of a broader global issue of antibiotic resistance.

While C. auris is generally not a serious threat to healthy individuals, it poses significant risks to patients in healthcare facilities, particularly those who are already ill.

Unlike airborne illnesses, C. auris primarily spreads in healthcare environments through contaminated medical equipment and surfaces, rather than through the air.

Candida auris, a deadly drug-resistant fungus, has seen a dramatic rise in cases across the U.S., with over 4,500 infections reported in 2023 compared to just 51 in 2016.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued warnings about C. auris, noting that no drug can effectively eliminate it, making it an urgent threat in healthcare settings.

Infections caused by C. auris have high mortality rates, particularly among hospital patients with pre-existing health conditions, according to a recent CDC report.

Patients at greatest risk include those with serious underlying health conditions and those using invasive medical devices, such as intubated individuals.

To combat the spread of C. auris, hospitals in California have implemented screening procedures for patients from high-risk settings to isolate those infected.

The CDC emphasizes the necessity for improved surveillance, enhanced laboratory capacity, rapid diagnostic tests, and strict infection control measures to manage the spread of C. auris.

The fungus can survive on surfaces like countertops and doorknobs, which facilitates its transmission via medical devices such as catheters and breathing tubes.