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Illinois among hardest hit by drug-resistant fungal infection
NBC 5 Chicago • • health
Key Points:
- The CDC reports over 3,000 cases of the drug-resistant fungal infection Candida auris in the U.S. this year, with Illinois among the hardest-hit states, reporting more than 350 cases.
- Candida auris primarily spreads in healthcare settings, affecting patients with medical devices like breathing tubes and catheters, and is often resistant to at least one antifungal treatment, complicating therapy.
- The fungus can survive on surfaces for extended periods, allowing it to spread even through individuals who are not infected themselves.
- At least 23 states have confirmed infections, with Texas and Michigan reporting over 700 and 500 cases respectively; Illinois ranks third in case numbers nationwide.
- The CDC urges rapid detection, screening, and stringent infection-control measures in healthcare environments to curb the spread, noting symptoms vary but can include fever, chills, low blood pressure, and ear pain.
