Washington State Reports First Known Outbreak of Potentially Deadly Fungus Candida Auris
In a concerning development, Washington state has reported its first known outbreak of Candida auris, a potentially deadly fungus. Public health officials have confirmed that four patients have tested positive for C. auris in the last month, according to a release by Public Health – Seattle & King County. The first case was identified in a patient who had recently been admitted to Kindred Hospital Seattle through a proactive screening program. Subsequent screenings led to the discovery of two new cases, as well as a case with links to Kindred.
The investigation into the outbreak is still ongoing, and health officials are yet to determine the initial source of the infection. However, it is believed that the first locally acquired case in Washington state occurred in July when a patient was transferred to Kindred from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Pierce County.
Health officials have been working closely with Kindred Hospital for several months, anticipating that C. auris would eventually be found in Washington state. Efforts are underway to limit the spread of the fungus, including isolating patients who test positive for C. auris from others and using specific disinfecting cleaning products effective against the fungus.
Candida auris is a type of yeast that can cause severe illnesses and spreads easily among patients in healthcare facilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although relatively new, with its discovery in Japan in 2009, studies have found samples of C. auris dating back to South Korea in 1996.
The fungus can spread through person-to-person transmission or contact with contaminated surfaces. While most healthy individuals do not need to worry about C. auris infections, those with weakened immune systems, immunocompromised individuals, elderly patients, or hospital patients with lines or tubes in their bodies are at higher risk of developing hard-to-treat infections.
One of the concerning aspects of C. auris is its drug resistance. There are strains of the fungus that do not respond to commonly used antifungal drugs. However, a class of antifungal drugs called echinocandins can be used intravenously to treat C. auris infections. These drugs inhibit a key enzyme necessary for the fungus’s cell wall maintenance.
Unfortunately, more than one in three patients with invasive C. auris infections, which affect the blood, heart, or brain, do not survive, according to the CDC. Therefore, it is crucial to take preventive measures to limit the spread of the fungus. The CDC recommends proper hand sanitization for family members and close contacts of C. auris patients. Healthcare personnel and laboratory staff should also follow strict hand hygiene protocols and disinfect patient rooms thoroughly. Additionally, prompt reporting of cases to public health departments is essential.
As the investigation into Washington state’s outbreak continues, it is crucial for healthcare facilities and individuals to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent further spread of Candida auris.
