Wednesday, 31 January 2024
"
Deadly Fungal
Outbreak Hits Washington State!"
Candida Auris Outbreak:
Washington state reports first outbreak with four cases of the deadly Candida auris fungal infection.
Kindred Hospital Cases:
All infected individuals were patients at Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill, emphasizing hospital-acquired infectio
Early Detection:
Routine screening identified the first case on Jan. 10, demonstrating the importance of early detection programs.
Hospital-Acquired Infections:
Three patients initially tested negative on admission but later tested positive,
Infection vs. Colonization:
One patient developed an infection, while others were colonized, highlighting different risks of illness.
Candida Auris Background:
First identified in Japan in 2009, cases in the U.S. have been rising sharply since 2016.
Rapid Increase:
The number of Candida auris cases rose 94% from 2020 to 2021, with detections in 36 states as of December 2022.
Antifungal Resistance:
Approximately 90% of Candida auris strains in the U.S. are resistant to common antifungal medications,
Mortality Rate:
Severe Candida auris infections in the U.S. have a mortality rate of 30% to 60%, emphasizing the seriousness of the infection.