Candida Auris Poses Serious Risk to Immunocompromised Individuals

The CDC reports Candida auris has been detected in 27 US states this year, with 3,437 cases identified as of 25 July. The fungus poses a serious risk to immunocompromised individuals. California leads with 873 cases, followed by Texas with 433 and Tennessee with 283. The CDC notes a decline of about 1,000 cases compared to last year's 4,290 during the same period.

C auris spreads in healthcare facilities through direct contact or contaminated surfaces. First discovered in 1996, it was formally identified in Japan in 2009. Mortality is estimated at 30-60%, but the CDC says it's hard to determine its exact contribution to deaths. Healthy people are not at risk; those with weakened immune systems are.

A CDC study found over 95% of samples were resistant to fluconazole, with some resistance to other antifungals. The CDC adds, It is hard to know how much C. auris contributed to their death compared to other pre-existing illnesses.