United States: Washington is currently dealing with another biological problem in the form of a rare fungal infection. The state has been dealing with a first-ever outbreak of Candida auris fungus, and four people have tested positive for the same, according to Seattle and King County Health Officials.
However, early reports have revealed that a case was detected in the month of July. It is to be noted that cases of fungal infection have been rising in the United States since 2016, which has resulted in a Candida auris cluster.
The first ever case was found on January 10, as per the department, and the patient is seeking medical treatment at the Kindred Hospital. Following this, two more cases were reported on January 22, followed by a fourth case on January 26.
As per the reports by the local department, those three cases eventually tested negative. The health authorities believed that the people were contracted at the hospital. In addition to this, one person developed the infection.
The case detected in Washington was found in a Pierce County resident – who was initially hospitalized in a local hospital and then shifted to Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill.
Who are majorly infected by the fungus?
Reportedly, the fungus attacks people with weakened immune systems and is largely found among people admitted to hospitals, according to NBC News. It is to be noted that all four cases were reported at Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill.
However, according to the reports by the public health department for Seattle and King County, no death has been reported because of the infection.
Is there any treatment for fungus?
The pathogen can be treated through some common antifungal medications.
Candida auris and its origin
The first-ever case associated with the fungus was found in Japan in 2009. In 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked the local laboratories to report the linked cases.
It is to be noted that the sharpest increase in infections was reported between 2020 and 2021 – during that time, the number of cases increased and reached up to 94 percent, according to NBC News.
The cases related to the fungus have been detected in approximately 36 states until December 2022, and from 2013 to 2022, around 5,600 cases of Candida auris were detected.