The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning that an emerging fungus called Candida auris (C. auris) presents a serious global health threat. This superbug fungus is resistant to antifungal medications and can survive on surfaces even after they’ve been cleaned. C. auris can cause serious and potentially fatal infections and has infected over 600 people in the United States. The CDC reports that between 30% and 60% of infected patients die.
C. auris often affects those who are in the hospital, live in nursing homes or have weakened immune systems. The CDC states that healthy people usually don’t get C. auris infections. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to identify C. auris infections with standard lab methods. Because of the risks it presents, the CDC is urging health care facilities and professionals to be on the lookout for C. auris cases and to notify the CDC of confirmed or suspected cases.