Deadly Fungus Spreads Rapidly Across US! 

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Deadly Fungus Spreads Rapidly Across US! 
Deadly Fungus Spreads Rapidly Across US! 

United States: Experts report indicates that multi-drug resistant and fatally dangerous and highly contagious fungal cases continue to spread rapidly across the United States. 

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A health care system examined clinical cultures containing the Candida auris fungus and its numbers grew steadily from April 1, 2019 until December 31, 2023. 

Healthcare professionals are monitoring Candida auris referred to as C. auris because it functions as an emerging hospital-acquired healthcare pathogen and possesses growing implications for public health. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 4,514 new cases of Candida auris in 2023 while the initial report in 2016 recorded only 51 cases. 

Infection rates from the fungus continue to escalate through New Jersey medical centers. 

Between 2016 and 2023 the state experienced an increase in new clinical cases from 17 to 75 according to reporting from the CDC. 

A study conducted by the CDC together with New Jersey Department of Health in 2021 suggested COVID-19 pandemic might worsen Candida auris transmission within healthcare settings while identifying underlying reasons needs further investigation. 

The healthcare facilities that provide ventilator care such as hospitals along with nursing homes tend to be where Candida auris exists. 

Typical antifungal medication shows no effectiveness against this particular fungus strain. The fungus exists and reproduces on human skin surfaces and throughout the human body without producing infectious outcomes. 

C. auris infection spreads between people and creates a subsequent illness risk for those who acquire the fungus. 

Likewise the CDC reports that patients diagnosed with invasive Candida auris infections have more than a 33% chance of dying. 

The fungus presents its greatest threat to patients who have concurrent health conditions. The fungal infection has spread across all states except twelve as the numbers surged heavily from 2022 to 2023. 

Cases of a multi-drug resistant, highly-fatal, and highly transmissive fungus are increasing rapidly in the United States, a new study warns. 

Research published last week in the American Journal of Infection Control shows the number of clinical cultures with Candida auris in a large health care system increased each year between April 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2023. 

Candida auris, also called C. auris, is an emerging healthcare-associated infection and growing public health concern. 

Cases have continued to increase since it was first reported, from 51 cases in 2016 to 4,514 in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The fungus is also causing serious infections in patients in New Jersey. The state went from reporting 17 new clinical cases in 2016 to 75 new clinical cases in 2023, according to the CDC. 

A joint study by the CDC and New Jersey Department of Health in 2021 found that the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated Candida auris transmission in healthcare facilities and potential causes should be further explored. 

Candida auris is typically found in healthcare facilities that take care of patients with ventilators like hospitals and nursing homes. The fungus is resistant to the medicines typically used to treat fungal infections. 

It can also live and grow on the skin or in the body without causing illness. However, people who are infected with C. auris may spread it to others and are at risk of getting sick later on if they develop infections. 

More than 1 in 3 patients with an invasive Candida auris infection die, according to the CDC. 

The fungus poses the largest threat to patients that have other health problems. 

The fungal infection has been found in all but 12 states, with a substantial spike between 2022 and 2023. 

According to the New Jersey Department of Health, between 2016 and 2024, there were 576 confirmed clinical cases of Candida auris in the Garden State. The state also noted another 22 probable cases of the fungus.