CDC Warns Deadly Fungus Spreading in Louisiana and Beyond

Louisiana - The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a nationwide alert to be on the lookout for a hazardous fungus that is spreading. There have already been confirmed cases in Louisiana.

Candida Auris: What is it?

Candida Auris is the name of the fungus. It was first discovered in the United States in 2013. Since then, the number of cases has dramatically climbed. The fungus has now spread across the United States, however most occurrences have been in East Coast states like New Jersey and New York.

The fungus initially appeared in Louisiana in 2022 after spreading to the border states.

Those who spend a lot of time in hospital settings and those with underlying medical issues are more likely to be affected by Candida Auris. It spreads in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes. Most people with Candida Auris have weakened immune systems and may have taken a lot of antibiotics. Those who additionally have lines or tubes in their bodies, such as feeding, breathing, or catheter tubes, are at a higher risk of infection.

The longevity of Candida Auris on surfaces is long.

Candida Auris can survive and grow on surfaces for a few weeks. Healthy people can transfer HPV if they are unaware that they have it on their skin. It is quite difficult to get rid of in a medical center.

Most healthy individuals shouldn't be worried. Healthy individuals are usually protected from the fungus by their immune systems. Another element that makes the fungus easier to spread is that people who have it on their skin may not even be aware that they are spreading it.

Symptoms of Candida Auris

The Louisiana Department of Health warns that you may not see any symptoms because the harmful fungus usually affects patients who are already sick and in the hospital. A laboratory test is necessary to identify whether a patient has C. aureus.

Because 30 to 60 percent of those infected will die, Candida Auris is considered a deadly disease. The fungus is resistant to antibiotics. The fungus has shown resistance to all antifungal medications, despite the fact that echino-candis is the only approved treatment.

It primarily relies on how well the patient's immune system fights the virus.

Louisiana only has 38 clinical occurrences, but other states like Texas have 750+. As soon as the fungus spreads, the number of cases sharply rises. As a result, the CDC is warning medical establishments across the country.