Drug-Resistant Candida Auris Spreads Rapidly in U.S. Healthcare Facilities

The CDC highlights significant outbreaks in Georgia and Florida as the fungus continues to pose a deadly threat to immunocompromised patients.

Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus first identified in the U.S. in 2016, has seen a dramatic increase in cases, with over 4,500 reported in 2023.
Recent outbreaks in Georgia and Florida underscore the fungus's rapid spread in healthcare settings, raising concerns about containment efforts.
The pathogen primarily impacts immunocompromised individuals, with mortality rates ranging from 30% to 60%, and it resists many antifungal drugs and disinfectants.
The CDC and healthcare facilities are emphasizing enhanced surveillance, patient screening, isolation protocols, and the use of specialized disinfectants to curb its spread.
Ongoing research aims to develop new treatments and improve infection control measures to address the broader challenge of antimicrobial resistance.