Super Bug Infestation Spreading

To determine whether Candida auris (C. auris) cases were occurring in the United States, the Centers of Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) published a clinical alert in June 2016.

As of May 12, 2017, a total of 77 clinical cases of C. auris confirmed by culture results in patients in the hospital had been reported to the CDC from seven states. Nearly all patients had multiple medical conditions and extensive healthcare facility exposure.

New York led the way with 53 cases.  Cases in New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Oklahoma have also been reported.

Nearly all patients had multiple medical conditions and extensive healthcare facility exposure.

The New York State Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker, issued a health advisory to all hospitals and nursing homes in New York City to be on high alert of readiness for C. auris.

"It is important for New Yorkers to understand C. auris poses no risk to the general public," said Dr. Zucker. "C. auris is an opportunistic infection which primarily impacts patients who are already ill for other reasons.

According to the CDC, treatment options for C. auris are limited, due to antifungal resistance.

All C. auris isolates were forwarded to CDC for whole-genome sequencing and comparison with previously sequenced overseas isolates. This data suggest multiple introductions of C. auris into the United States followed by local transmission.

However, the disease might exist elsewhere, because some labs either do not fully characterize Candida species or are otherwise unable to detect C. auris.

The CDC has worked with state and local partners to develop and share infection control suggestions to help curb the spread of C. auris. Accurate identification of C. auris and adherence to infection control practices, coupled with ongoing public health research and investigations, are needed to halt the spread of C. auris in the United States.