A drug-resistant fungus that can cause severe illness is continuing to spread in New Jersey, according to a Patch report by Carly Baldwin. The fungus, *Candida auris* (C. auris), is considered especially dangerous because it is often resistant to multiple antifungal medications, can be difficult to identify with standard lab methods, and can spread in health care settings such as hospitals and long-term care facilities.
The report says C. auris primarily threatens people who are already medically vulnerable, including patients with serious underlying conditions or those who use medical devices like breathing tubes, feeding tubes, or central venous catheters. Healthy people generally face a lower risk. Infected patients may show no symptoms, but when illness occurs, it can lead to serious bloodstream, wound, or ear infections. Because symptoms can resemble those caused by other infections, laboratory testing is needed for a proper diagnosis.
According to the article, New Jersey has seen a growing number of cases in recent years, reflecting a broader national concern. Public health officials are closely monitoring the spread and emphasizing infection-control practices in medical environments. The fungus can live on surfaces and spread from person to person in health care facilities, making prevention efforts especially important. These include careful screening, strong hygiene practices, environmental cleaning, and prompt identification of affected patients.
The article notes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified C. auris as an urgent antimicrobial resistance threat. Officials continue to urge health care providers to follow strict protocols to reduce transmission and protect high-risk patients.
Source: Carly Baldwin, Patch
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561607604274
twitter: https://x.com/cherryhillnt
https://patch.com/new-jersey/across-nj/potentially-deadly-drug-resistant-fungus-spreads-nj-what-know
