What you need to know about the new ‘candida auris,’ a potentially deadly fungus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a warning about a potentially deadly fungus Candida auris that has been detected in over half of U.S. states. According to a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, cases of Candida auris, or C. Auris, have risen almost 200% from 476 cases in 2019 to 1,471 in 2021. Who is Susceptible? Candida auris is a type of yeast that is commonly found in hospital settings and long-term care facilities. It can cause severe infections and even death in those who are immunocompromised or have underlying medical issues and indwelling devices. The first case in the United States was detected in 2013, mainly in New York City and Chicago. According to health experts, the main concern with this fungus is that many recent cases have been found to be resistant to commonly used medications, with a limited number of cases resulting in a 30% to 60% mortality rate. Those with implanted devices are at a higher risk of infec...