An Alarming Surge: Drug-Resistant Fungus Spreads in US Hospitals
In a recent development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have sounded the alarm about the rapid spread of Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus ^(LA Times). This fungal superbug has increasingly afflicted hospitals and nursing homes across the United States, garnering widespread attention due to its resistance to treatment and its potential to cause severe infections, especially among vulnerable populations ^(Fox News).
Originally identified in 2016, C. auris has surged from 52 cases in its first year to more than 4,500 confirmed infections recorded in 2023 ^(ConsumerAffairs). This dramatic increase is particularly concerning given the fungus’s deadly nature, killing over 1 in 3 infected individuals, according to health experts ^(Global News).