Public health officials in King County, Washington, have confirmed the first known outbreak of the deadly fungus Candida auris (C. auris). The outbreak began in July when a resident of Pierce County tested positive at Kindred Hospital in Seattle, marking the initial case of C. auris in the state, as reported by Public Health – Seattle & King County.
The situation escalated this month with the confirmation of additional C. auris infections. A patient recently admitted to Kindred tested positive through the state Department of Health screening program, designed to detect multidrug-resistant organisms early. Subsequently, three more cases were identified, indicating the start of the state’s first known outbreak.
The source of the infection remains unknown, posing challenges for public health officials. Efforts are underway to limit the spread, with infected patients isolated from others to reduce the risk of transmission. Kindred is also notifying other facilities that received patients from their facility.
C. auris is deemed an urgent public health threat, spreading at an alarming rate during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). First reported in the U.S. in 2016, the fungus witnessed a 200% surge in infections between 2019 and 2021.
Claire Bostrom-Smith, manager of King County’s health care-associated infections program, highlights the concerning aspects of C. auris. Resistant to common antifungal medications, the fungus can spread without symptoms, known as “colonization.” Between 5% and 10% of colonized patients may develop serious “invasive” infections, with a mortality rate exceeding 45% within the first 30 days.
Long-term acute care facilities face heightened risk due to the vulnerable health conditions of patients relying on devices like catheters and breathing tubes. However, C. auris is generally not a threat to healthy individuals, as per the CDC.
Symptoms vary depending on the location and severity of the infection, affecting different parts of the body such as the bloodstream, open wounds, and ears. Early identification is crucial for control, as C. auris can persist on surfaces in healthcare settings for extended periods.
Public health teams have been collaborating with Kindred for months to implement early screening programs, anticipating the eventual detection of C. auris in Washington. The swift identification is essential to implementing preventive measures before the fungus becomes widespread, according to Public Health – Seattle & King County.
