The deadly fungal disease C. auris spreading across the US explained - symptoms, treatment and outbreaks

[{"selector":"#anim-57b53130-c1f0-4164-971a-41d776b94709","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e0bb143a-2712-41b7-906e-56117ad5db2c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.30137%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Candida auris, a deadly fungal disease, is spreading rapidly across the US, posing a significant global health threat

[{"selector":"#anim-5cffee50-e8a6-4572-8728-30392ec90e1e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2863905b-d80b-4378-b217-4c9167b26af9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.57534%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The fungus is often resistant to antifungal treatments, making it challenging to treat, particularly in healthcare settings

[{"selector":"#anim-8c3af916-4796-493b-8907-77364aa56a3b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bac34d26-3af2-44f6-8cfb-7cebc8e2f45b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.84931%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Symptoms vary widely, and those with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable to severe illness.

[{"selector":"#anim-0ce55f8b-0ebd-4bea-9598-012e34f55b20","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4e5da6b9-b36b-4fc1-89ad-4022697a130a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.57534%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The first case of Candida auris in the US was reported in 2016, and outbreaks have occurred in various states since then

[{"selector":"#anim-94debde5-acb9-440d-96f0-223e9ecdd3b0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-acecb9f8-a2c2-45bb-a16d-9831214013af","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.12329%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Treatment options are limited, with some strains resistant to all known antifungal drugs.

[{"selector":"#anim-eb242736-c707-40e2-b32f-0b97dafb4920","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a57b23c-a369-4cfd-879e-12f3c5aa6f27","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.57534%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Prevention measures include colonization screenings, clinical specimen testing, and strict infection control protocols in healthcare facilities

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in identifying and managing Candida auris cases to prevent further spread

[{"selector":"#anim-b9682af9-f3ff-4ab5-a634-e43cd11490f9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58c5832d-4c51-40d3-893a-0dde35d221b7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-107.12329%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Public awareness and adherence to hand hygiene practices are essential to curb the spread of this deadly fungal infection