CDC: Deadly Fungal Infections Spreading at an 'Alarming Rate'

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday warned that a deadly fungus called Candida auris (C. auris) is spreading at an "alarming rate" in the U.S. healthcare facilities. 

“The rapid rise and geographic spread of cases is concerning and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance, expanded lab capacity, quicker diagnostic tests, and adherence to proven infection prevention and control,” said CDC epidemiologist Dr. Meghan Lyman, lead author of the paper, in a press release. 

Adding to the agency's concerns, the number of infections that were resistant to echinocandins, which is the antifungal medicine most commonly used to treat C. auris infections, tripled in 2021. 

The CDC classified C. auris as an "urgent antimicrobial resistance (AR) threat," meaning "it is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, spreads easily in healthcare facilities, and can cause severe infections with high death rates."

Between 2016, when C. auris was first reported, and 2021, there have been a total of 3,270 clinical cases reported and 7,413 screening cases. 

The agency said "poor general infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in healthcare facilities" are responsible for the spread. However, expanded efforts to detect cases is also responsible for the jump in reported cases.

More In Science

Minnesota Nuclear Plant Shuts Down for Leak; Residents Worry

A Minnesota utility began shutting down a nuclear power plant near Minneapolis on Friday after discovering water containing a low level of radioactive material was leaking from a pipe for the second time. While the utility and health officials say it is not dangerous, the issue has prompted concerns among nearby residents and raised questions about aging pipelines.

Good2Know: Philly Monitoring Water After Chemical Spill

The City of Philadelphia is closely monitoring its drinking water following a chemical spill that occurred on Friday night.

Survey: Mental Health Issues Increasingly Impact College Students Decision to Drop Out

Survey: Mental Health Issues Increasingly Impact College Students Decision to Drop Out

CDC, FDA Report More Deaths, Vision Loss Linked to Recalled Eye Drops

At least three people have died and 65 others have suffered vision issues stemming from contaminated eye drops.

FDA OKs Expanded Use of Cholesterol Drug for Children

The Food and Drug Administration approved the expanded use of Regeneron's cholesterol drug in children aged 5-11.

Grindr Looks to Distribute 1 Million Free HIV Test Kits in New Initiative

The LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr is doing its part to snuff out the HIV epidemic by offering free at-home test kits to users.

FDA Approves Regeneron Cholesterol Drug Use For Children

The Food and Drug Administration expanded its approval of Regeneron's cholesterol drug for children.

FDA Expands Use Of Regeneron's Children Cholesterol Drug Evkeeza

The FDA has approved the expanded use of Regeneron's drug Evkeeza in children to treat a rare disease that causes high cholesterol.

World Water Day: Tips for Testing and Filtering at Home

Riggs Eckelberry, CEO of OriginClear, which manufactures modular clean water systems, provided background on the water safety crisis in the U.S. He also provided best practices on how to test and filter water at home.

CDC Warns Of Deadly Fungus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning of a rare and mysterious deadly fungal infection that is spreading at an alarming rate around the country.

Load More