C. auris Cases Surge Nationwide, CDC Calls Urgent Threat

Candida auris, a deadly drug-resistant fungus, is spreading rapidly in U.S. hospitals and senior care facilities, prompting the CDC to classify it as an urgent threat. Since its identification in 2016, the number of infections has surged from 52 to over 4,500 in 2023, with California reporting the highest cases. The fungus is resistant to many antifungal drugs and can survive on hospital surfaces even after cleaning, complicating containment efforts. It primarily affects patients with weakened immune systems or those using invasive medical devices, leading to mortality rates between 30% and 60%. Recent outbreaks in Georgia and alarming case increases in Florida highlight the urgent need for improved monitoring and infection control measures. Experts emphasize the critical importance of surveillance and rapid diagnostic tests to combat this growing health crisis.