The CDC is charting the rapid spread of a fungal threat that can be lethal to the immunocompromised—but can be stopped before becoming an infection in most healthy people.

New data show that Candida auris yeast is doing real damage in U.S. hospitals and other care centers. The number of cases nationally grew by 95% in 2021, and infections have now been recorded in 28 states and D.C. The pandemic, which made it difficult for hospitals to focus on perfecting protocol for much else besides COVID-19, may also have given this superbug a boost.

Here's what to know about C. auris:

• Infections are rare but serious. Mortality rates are about 30%, and symptoms can include fever and chills, followed by organ failure.
• It's resistant to treatment. C. auris evolves remarkably fast compared to similar species. In doing so, it’s become pan-resistant, which means that for most bloodstream infections, none of the three major classes of anti-fungal drugs work against it.
• It can be mitigated. Hospitals are amping up their disinfection and screening processes against C. auris. If you're visiting or admitted to a health care facility, you can ask what their procedures are to help prevent the spread.
  

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