First Outbreak of Deadly Fungus Candida Auris Confirmed in Washington State
In a concerning development, health officials in Washington state have confirmed the first known outbreak of a deadly fungus called Candida auris or C. auris. The outbreak began in July when a resident of Pierce County tested positive for the fungus at Kindred Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital in Seattle. At that time, no further cases were discovered. However, this month, another C. auris infection was confirmed in a recently admitted patient at Kindred, marking the start of the state’s first known outbreak.
The patient was identified through a state Department of Health screening program that aims to detect multidrug resistant organisms early on. More than a week later, three additional cases were confirmed at the hospital, all in patients who had initially tested negative for the fungus upon admission. This indicates that the infection had started to spread within the facility.
Health officials are currently unsure of the initial source of the infection and acknowledge that it may never be identified. They are working closely with Kindred to limit the spread of C. auris by isolating patients who test positive and using specialized disinfecting products effective against the fungus. Kindred is also notifying other facilities that received patients who were previously at their hospital.
C. auris infections are considered an urgent public health threat, and its spread has been particularly alarming during the coronavirus pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 200% increase in infections between 2019 and 2021. Claire Brostrom-Smith, manager of King County’s health care-associated infections program, highlighted the concerning nature of C. auris due to its resistance to common antifungal medications. Additionally, the fungus can colonize the body without causing symptoms, making it difficult to detect and control.
While healthy individuals are generally not at risk, those in long-term acute care facilities, who are often critically ill and reliant on medical devices, are particularly vulnerable. Brostrom-Smith emphasized that between 5% and 10% of patients colonized with C. auris will eventually develop invasive infections, which can be severe and have a high mortality rate. In fact, over 45% of people with invasive infections die within the first 30 days.
Symptoms of C. auris infections vary depending on the location and severity but can include infections in different parts of the body, such as the bloodstream, open wounds, and ears. However, there is no specific set of symptoms unique to C. auris infections, making diagnosis challenging. Furthermore, the fungus can persist on surfaces in healthcare settings for weeks or longer, making it difficult to eradicate.
Health officials anticipated the eventual discovery of C. auris in Washington due to their ongoing collaboration with Kindred to implement early screening programs. Early identification is crucial in controlling the spread of C. auris and implementing prevention strategies before it becomes widespread.
The confirmation of the first outbreak of Candida auris in Washington state serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats posed by multidrug resistant organisms. Health authorities must remain vigilant in their efforts to detect, contain, and prevent the spread of such infections to protect vulnerable individuals in healthcare settings.
