Overview

• Candida auris, a deadly and drug-resistant fungus, has been declared an urgent public health threat by the CDC due to its rapid spread and high mortality rate.
• Recent surges in cases have been reported in Georgia and Florida, with the fungus continuing to challenge healthcare systems nationwide.
• The fungus is resistant to multiple antifungal drugs and common disinfectants, complicating containment efforts in hospitals and senior care facilities.
• Patients with compromised immune systems, as well as those using catheters, breathing tubes, or feeding tubes, are at the highest risk of severe infections.
• Healthcare facilities are implementing screening, isolation, and specialized cleaning protocols to combat the fungus, which can survive on surfaces for weeks.