Deadly Fungus Strikes Washington – Are You at Risk?

Health officials in Washington state have reported the first known outbreak of Candida auris, a potentially lethal fungus. The emergence of this deadly infection has heightened concerns, with four patients testing positive for C. auris in the past month, as revealed by Public Health – Seattle & King County.

The initial case was identified in a patient recently admitted to Kindred Hospital Seattle, prompting health authorities to initiate a proactive screening program. Subsequent screenings uncovered two additional cases, along with one case linked to Kindred, who initially tested negative for C. auris upon admission. The source of the infection remains unknown, and officials are actively investigating the outbreak.

A notable case was identified in July, where a patient transferred to Kindred from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Pierce County was diagnosed with C. auris. This marked the first locally acquired case in Washington state, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Health officials have collaborated with Kindred Hospital for several months, anticipating the eventual presence of C. auris in Washington. The ongoing efforts include isolating patients who test positive for the fungus to mitigate the risk of spreading and employing specialized disinfectants effective against C. auris.

The health department has also taken steps to notify facilities that received Kindred patients, advising them to screen for the fungus. Despite these measures, Kindred has not yet responded to ABC News’ request for comment.

Candida auris, identified as a type of yeast, poses a severe threat, particularly in healthcare settings, where it can easily spread among patients. C. auris is a relatively new fungus, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Early samples of the fungus date back to South Korea in 1996, but it was only discovered in Japan in 2009.

The mode of transmission includes person-to-person contact and contact with contaminated surfaces, making it a formidable challenge for healthcare facilities. While the majority of healthy individuals need not worry about C. auris infections, those with weakened immune systems, the elderly, or immunocompromised patients face the risk of severe, hard-to-treat infections.

Of particular concern is the existence of drug-resistant strains of C. auris, rendering conventional antifungal drugs ineffective. Despite this, there is a class of antifungal drugs called echinocandins, administered intravenously, that can be effective in treating infections caused by this fungus. However, multiple high doses may be required in some cases.

The gravity of C. auris infections is evident in the CDC’s statistic that over one in three patients with invasive C. auris infections, affecting critical areas like the blood, heart, or brain, do not survive.

To prevent further spread, the CDC recommends rigorous hand hygiene for family members and close contacts of C. auris patients. Healthcare personnel and laboratory staff are also advised to follow stringent sanitization protocols and promptly report cases to public health departments.

As Washington state grapples with this unprecedented outbreak, health officials are working tirelessly to contain the spread of Candida auris and safeguard public health.