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March, 27 2023

Controlling the Spread of C. auris

The CDC has declared C. auris as an urgent Antifungal Resistant (AR) Threat

Candida auris, C. auris, is a type of fungus that causes severe infections and is spread very easily, especially through healthcare facilities and equipment. C. auris has been a burden on healthcare systems since it was discovered in 2009 and surfaced in the United States in 2016. Since its discovery, C. auris has spread to many countries and continues to spread at “an alarming rate” according to the CDC. In 2021, national cases reported by healthcare facilities increased by 95%, and from 2019 to 2021, 17 states reported their first case. With infections recorded in a total of 28 states and the District of Columbia, these numbers suggest that current disinfection and safety measures at care facilities may not be sufficient.

C. auris on the rise

What makes this infection seem to bypass prevention measures and spread with ease? The issue lies in the fact that most infections caused by C. auris are resistant to at least one form of anti-fungal treatment. In addition, C. auris is able to survive on surfaces for long periods of time, making it difficult to control the spread of infection, and is hard to kill with commonly used disinfectants. Due to these circumstances, the CDC has deemed this infection as an urgent Antifungal Resistant (AR) Threat in a press release dated March 20, 2023.

Who is affected by C. auris?

The CDC has declared this threat due to the tripling of the infection rate that is resistant to these medicines in 2021, which has remained steady over the past year. Although this infection does not pose a threat to the wider population of healthy people, there are fears that it could someday evolve to become one. It is currently extremely dangerous for people who are already ill and reliant on medical equipment such as breathing tubes, catheters, and other invasive medical devices. Transmission of the infection can occur through person-to-person contact or contact with contaminated surfaces. As a result, prevention is crucial in preventing an outbreak.

Candida auris is a fungus that can kill anyone who comes into close contact with a carrier. The CDC has cited poor general infection protection and control (IPC) practices in healthcare facilities as one of the many reasons for the increased occurrence of C. auris cases and in which outbreaks occur. The strain on the healthcare system that is lingering from the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on disinfection protocols. Healthcare facilities across the country and the world need ways to increase the effectiveness of disinfection protocols while reducing the burden on frontline workers and those responsible for disinfection. Traditional disinfection methods often require a significant amount of time and effort to mix chemicals, wipe down surfaces, move objects around to clean, and perform other related tasks, which makes disinfecting a daunting task.

Stopping the spread

Thanks to SteraMist disinfection, traditional methods are a thing of the past. SteraMist has repeatedly demonstrated a high-level efficacy against dangerous infections that can easily spread within healthcare facilities and endanger those who rely on those facilities for healthcare support. Several of the largest healthcare systems depend on SteraMist to relieve the burden of manual cleaning while ensuring the elimination of infections such as C. auris. In addition to effectively eliminating infections, SteraMist will not corrode or damage the equipment it is used on, unlike other chemicals that claim to be effective against C. auris infections. Discover how SteraMist is the solution to control infection rates from C. auris and many other infections in healthcare facilities across the United States and the world here.