Mortal fungal infection spreading to new parts of the United States, CDC warns
Candida Auris' first epidemic was reported in another state.
While we are months after the season typical of the cold and the flu (and the cocheal), additional threats were also up this winter. You have probably read on the measles epidemic , as well as an increase Salmonella case Thanks to the contaminated food. In addition to those concerning developments, fungal infections also make rounds, including new cases of Candida Auris ( C. Auris ), that health officials warn may be fatal. Read the rest to find out where the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) say C. Auris spreads and how you can protect yourself.
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This fungus can be fatal for immunocompromised patients.
According to the CDC, C. Auris is a type of yeast that is easily spread in patients in health establishments, often causing serious illness. The agency notes that it generally resists antifungal treatments, which makes it difficult to treat.
The fungus is particularly dangerous for people "with serious underlying medical conditions", and those with "invasive medical devices such as respiratory tubes, food tubes, catheters in a vein or urinary catheters tend to be an increased risk to get C. Auris And develop an infection, "said CDC. Healthy people without these risk factors have a low risk of infection.
The severity of the infection varies from superficial skin infections to fatal infections endangering life, according to the CDC. However, as people who contract C. Auris are often already sick, it is difficult to know how the fungus has played in deceased patients.
Since 2016, the rate of C. Auris The infections checked - and the CDC notes that cases "increased considerably from 2020 to 2021". By March 2023 Press release From the CDC, the increase is probably due to "poor prevention and control of general infections" in health establishments, as well as an increase in screening.
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C. Auris was established on the west coast.
As of December 31, 2022, the fungus was present in 36 American states . Washington was one of the lucky states largely not affected by fungal infection, but now, those responsible for the County of Seattle and King have confirmed the first epidemic in the Kinded Seattle - First Hill hospital, which is a care hospital long -term assets. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
(The first case acquired locally in the state was reported last summer, by July 2023 Press release . The patient was a resident of the County of Pierce who was transferred to the family, testing positive for C. Auris on admission.)
On January 22, two other patients treated with a related appearance C. Auris . A fourth case with links with Kincred was reported on January 26. As the Department of Public Health said it to NBC News, the fourth patient was tested positive in a health establishment in the county of Snohomish, but had previously received care in Killed.
By Washington Public Health Managers, all patients except one were tested negative for the fungus when they were admitted to the hospital, suggesting that they picked it up. These patients have also been isolated from the rest of the patient population "with additional clinical and cleaning precautions to prevent spread," Kincred told NBC News.
Patients with C. Auris were identified thanks to the Kindred screening initiative, Partners for patient Safety Program. The release of the County of Seattle & King notes that it was put to increase early detection and prevent the propagation of the fungus.
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Propagation should continue.
In Washington, in particular, Rock Pappas , PHD, professor of medicine at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, told NBC News only four cases of C. Auris Suggest that the fungus has been in the community for "some time". However, experts do not know how long it lasts.
According to Pappas, we should not expect C. Auris To slow down, either.
"He will certainly reach every corner of the country," he told NBC News. "The question will be how we can control it."
Symptoms are inconsistent.
A related patient has developed an infection, said health officials at NBC News, while others were simply "colonized" with C. Auris . All were asymptomatic on January 31.
According to the CDC, colonization occurs when people get C. Auris On their skin and other body sites, but do not fall sick, do not show symptoms or do not contract an infection. Even without symptoms, colonized patients can always disseminate the fungus to others or on surfaces and objects with which they come into contact.
While healthy people do not have to worry too much C. Auris , health professionals highlight the importance of screening. To project the fungus, health professionals can listen to the armpit or groin to collect a sample for tests. If symptoms appear that cannot be linked to anything else, a doctor can collect a sample of blood or urine to detect many types of infections. According to the CDC, there is no list of defined symptoms that can be used to identify C. Auris .
"C. Auris Can cause infections in different parts of the body, as in the blood circulation, open wounds and ears, "said CDC." Symptoms depend on the location and severity of C. Auris infection. Symptoms can be similar to symptoms of infection caused by bacteria. ""
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