INDIANA — A potentially deadly fungus called Candida Auris has surfaced, causing many people to get sick and search for answers.
The Indiana State Department of Health is tracking the fungus. Currently, Indiana is monitoring 87 clinical cases. Infections have been reported from more than 30 countries, including the United States.
C. auris is resistant to many of the antifungal drugs commonly used to treat infections. C. auris can cause many different types of infection, such as bloodstream, wound, urinary tract, and ear. Based on information from a limited number of patients, 30–60% of people with C. auris infections have died. However, many of these people had other serious illnesses that also increased their risk of death.
Individuals can carry C. auris and may not have any symptoms.
Strict adherence to infection control activities is an effective method to prevent the spread of C. auris. It is critical to perform correct environmental cleaning and disinfection to eliminate transmission and exposure risk. Some disinfectants commonly used in healthcare settings are not effective against C. auris.
Click here to see the EPA’s registered antimicrobial products effective against C. auris. Click here for CDC guidance on infection control activities for C. auris.
