CDC Announces the Fungus Candida Auris Is an Urgent Antimicrobial Resistance Threat

by BoroPark24 Staff 

Candida auris (C. auris) is a fungus that has not been much of a threat to most people but has recently been considered an urgent antimicrobial resistance (AR) threat by the CDC. 

Recent CDC data shows that the fungus spread alarmingly in US healthcare facilities in 2020-2021. Even more alarming is the tripling number of cases resistant to a common antifungal medicine in 2021. 

C. auris spreads quickly in healthcare facilities and can cause severe infections with high death rates. Those who are very sick, have invasive medical devices, or have long or frequent stays in healthcare facilities are at increased risk for acquiring C. auris.

“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.

In its press release, the CDC said they would address this emerging public health threat by working with state, local, and territorial health departments and other partners.

photo credit: Flickr