Deadly Fungus Confirmed in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin

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Candida auris is a fungus becoming a worldwide concern due to its ability to cause serious illness. The CDC says it is resistant to antifungal treatments, meaning the medications designed to kill the fungus and prevent infections may not be effective. Read more about this fungus and how to stop the spread of it below.

What are the signs to look out for?

C. auris has the potential to trigger infections in various body parts, including the bloodstream, open wounds, and ears. The symptoms vary based on where and how severe the C. auris infection is. Unfortunately, there isn't a distinct set of symptoms to look for according to the CDC.

Deadly Fungus Confirmed in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin

Cases have been reported throughout the country including in  Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Illinois has become a hot spot with 276 reported clinical cases of C. auris over the past year.

It is easily transmitted among individuals in healthcare settings. Testing for C. auris requires a colonization screening. This involves a doctor swabbing your armpit or groin for testing, or clinical specimen testing of your blood or urine. People with weakened immune systems face the highest risk, but even healthy individuals can spread the fungus.

The easiest way to stop the spread is washing your hands or using hand sanitizer, especially when visiting someone in a nursing home or hospital, as recommended by the CDC.