Cases of Dangerous Fungus Found in 27 U.S. States, CDC Data Shows
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that cases of a potentially deadly fungus have been found in 27 states. As of the week ending July 25, health officials had identified 3,437 cases of Candida auris, also called C. auris. This is about 1,000 fewer cases than an earlier figure of more than 4,000.
C. auris is a type of yeast, a kind of fungus, that can cause serious infections in people who are already very sick. It is most often found in hospitals and long-term care facilities, where patients may have medical devices such as catheters or breathing tubes. The fungus can spread from person to person and can survive on surfaces and medical equipment for long periods of time. Many strains of C. auris are also resistant to common antifungal medicines, which makes infections harder to treat.
Health experts say that the infection is not common among healthy people. Hospitals and other healthcare providers are encouraged to screen patients, use strong infection control methods, and clean rooms and equipment carefully. People who want to protect themselves can follow general hygiene advice, such as washing their hands often. Anyone who has concerns about symptoms or possible exposure should contact a doctor.
The CDC continues to track the spread of C. auris across the country and will publish updated numbers as new data becomes available. Officials say that monitoring and prevention efforts remain important to limit further spread of the fungus.
Sources: ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
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