MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The CDC is issuing a warning about a drug-resistant, and potentially deadly fungus spreading across the U.S., identified as Candida auris.
The health agency recorded more than 8,000 clinical and screening cases last year in 28 states, with some of them being in Wisconsin.
The fungal infection was found for the first time in Wisconsin in the beginning of last year.
“In Wisconsin, we’ve had seven cases to date,” said Ashlie Dowdell, with Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Dowdell, Director of the Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention Program, says all the cases have been in the southeastern public health region of the state.
“A number of them have had connections to care in other state and other countries that already had evidence of this fungal infection,” said Dowdell.
But Dr. David Andes, infectious disease physician at UW Health, says the CDC’s warning isn’t something to worry about.
“This is something healthcare providers should be aware of, on the look out for.,” said Andes. “The CDC is sort of sounding the alarm because they’ve seen an increase in the number of these infections over just the last couple years.”
Healthy people usually don’t get sick from Candida auris.
“This is not something the average member of the general public would, you know, come into contact with or have a serious infection from,” said Dowdell.
The fungus mainly makes people sick who and spend a lot of time in health care settings, such as hospitals or nursing homes and who already have previous medical problems.
“There are some things unique to this fungus,” said Andes. “It likes to stick very easily to surfaces, including to the skin and to surfaces in the hospital setting and because of that, it can be transmitted easily from patient to patient.”
Even though the fungus is rare, between 30% and 60% of patients sick with Candida auris die from the disease.
“Currently there’s probably only one medication left that is effective to treat this infection,” said Andes.
Symptoms of Candida auris may not be noticeable since patients with this type of fungus are often already sick in the hospital with another illness or condition.
“So other than perhaps having a fever, there isn’t a specific symptom that we can say you likely have Candida auris,” said Andes.
According to the CDC, there were at least 2,377 confirmed cases in the U.S. in 2022. A jump from the 1,474 cases in 2021.
Experts say the best way to slow the spread of Candida auris, is to wash your hands.
Several states surrounding Wisconsin have identified larger numbers of cases in recent years. To see more data on Candida auris cases in other states, click here.
