Outbreak of Untreatable, Drug-Resistant Superbug Fungus Unnerves Experts in 2 US Cities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) discovered multiple instances of Candida Auris that were resistant to all medicines in two health institutions in Texas and a long-term care facility in Washington, D.C. for the first time.

According to researchers, a deadly, difficult-to-treat fungal infection spreading through nursing homes and hospitals across the United States is becoming even more dangerous. For the first time, the fungus, Candida Auris, was utterly impervious to all existing medication in several cases.

The coronavirus pandemic, according to infectious disease experts, has likely hastened the spread of the fungus. In addition, they claim that shortages of personal protective equipment, which hampered healthcare personnel in the early months of the epidemic, enhanced possibilities for the fungus to spread, particularly among the thousands of Covid-19 patients who were forced to use invasive mechanical ventilation.

The turmoil of recent months didn't help matters. "At the best of times, infection control efforts at most health care institutions are stretched tight, but with so many Covid patients, resources that could have gone to infection control were redirected elsewhere," Dr. Clancy said.

According to numerous health experts, the discovery of a panresistant C. Auris is a sobering reminder of the risks presented by antimicrobial resistance, from superbugs like MRSA to antibiotic-resistant salmonella. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such diseases sicken 2.8 million Americans each year and kill 35,000.

Limiting the Spread of Infections

Health systems throughout the country are trying to limit the spread of such infections, according to Dr. Michael S. Phillips, a head epidemiologist at N.Y.U./Langone Health. He said the situation was particularly acute in major cities like New York. Very sick patients are shuttled between nursing homes with weak infection control and top-notch medical institutions that frequently draw patients from across the area.

"We need to improve our monitoring and infection control, particularly in locations where patients are placed in groups," he added. "We should be concerned about Candida Auris, but we must not lose sight of the broader picture since there are many other drug-resistant organisms to be concerned about."