Drug-Resistant Candida Auris Spreads to 61 Countries

Scientists are warning of a rapidly escalating global threat from Candida auris, a drug-resistant yeast fungus that has spread to at least 61 countries across six continents since its discovery in 2009. The pathogen, which can cause life-threatening infections particularly in people with weakened immune systems, is becoming more infectious and harder to treat, according to a recent review of scientific literature.

First identified in the ear canal of a patient in Japan, Candida auris quickly emerged as a major public health concern. In 2014, officials in India recognized it as a significant threat, and the World Health Organization classified it as a critical priority fungal pathogen in 2022. Invasive fungal infections like those caused by C. auris affect an estimated 6.5 million people annually worldwide, contributing to high mortality rates. For bloodstream infections from this fungus, the death rate ranges from 30 to 60 percent, even with treatment.

The fungus thrives in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes, where it spreads through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, or medical devices. It often colonizes human skin without...