Could a deadly drug-resistant fungus spreading rapidly in hospitals across Georgia and Florida be putting America’s already-strained healthcare system at risk? The CDC has labeled Candida auris an “urgent threat” as it races through medical facilities with a shocking 30-60% mortality rate.
At a glance:
• Candida auris is a deadly drug-resistant fungus with a mortality rate of over 1 in 3 infected individuals
• Cases have more than doubled annually since 2016, reaching 4,514 in 2023
• The fungus spreads through contact with infected people, contaminated surfaces, and medical equipment
• Most common hospital disinfectants do not kill C. auris, making it difficult to contain
• Recent surges have been reported in Georgia and Florida healthcare facilities
A Silent Killer in American Hospitals
A deadly fungal infection that the CDC has labeled an “urgent threat” is rapidly spreading through American hospitals, with Georgia and Florida seeing concerning new outbreaks. First identified in the United States in 2016, Candida auris cases have more than doubled annually, reaching an alarming 4,514 infections in 2023.
The drug-resistant superbug carries a terrifying mortality rate of 30-60% among infected patients, making it one of the most dangerous healthcare-associated infections in America today. California currently leads the nation with 1,566 reported cases, but health officials are now raising red flags about accelerating spread in southeastern states.
Why Traditional Defenses Are Failing
Hospital workers are discovering that conventional cleaning protocols are largely ineffective against this resilient pathogen. The fungus can persist on surfaces for weeks and resists many standard disinfectants, particularly those containing quaternary ammonia compounds that most facilities rely on.
“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,” warned Dr. Meghan Lyman, a CDC medical officer.
Patients with medical devices like catheters, breathing tubes, or feeding tubes face the highest risk, with the fungus easily spreading through contaminated equipment. Hospital screening procedures are proving inadequate as the pathogen can colonize patients for months without causing symptoms.
The Battle to Protect Vulnerable Americans
Healthcare facilities are being urged to implement rigorous screening protocols and isolation procedures for high-risk patients. The CDC recommends using specialized EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants from “List P” that are specifically effective against C. auris, or “List K” products designed to kill C. difficile spores when those are unavailable.
“Most of the patients that get infections with Candida auris are themselves pretty sick to start with. This is something that can push people over the edge and become life-threatening,” explained Stuart Cohen, chief of infectious diseases at UC Davis Health. The fungus particularly threatens elderly Americans in long-term care facilities and those with compromised immune systems.
The last thing we need is another deadly pandemic of any kind…
