First Cases of Drug-Resistant Fungus Found in Louisiana

Although the superbug Candida auris (C. auris) was first found in U.S. hospitals in 2017, it has not been detected in several states until recently.

University Medical Center New Orleans reported Louisiana’s first two known cases of C. auris, a drug-resistant fungus, on January 18, Becker’s Hospital Review reports. Hospital officials did not reveal whether the two infected patients had been transferred from other health care facilities or had recently traveled internationally. 

If it enters the bloodstream, C. auris can cause serious invasive infections. Between 30% to 60% of people who develop infections have died, according to the U S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC).

Louisiana health officials say it’s likely the fungus had been in the state for a while but gone undetected. In December, health officials in Oregon also reported the state’s first C. auris outbreak.

According to CDC data, 1,156 clinical cases of C. auris were reported from Sept. 1, 2020, to Aug. 31, 2021. In addition, routine screening identified 3,043 patients colonized by the superbug fungus.

Learn cleaning tips to help prevent C. auris and other health care-acquired infections.