CDC Reports Candida Auris Case Are On The Rise

A drug-resistant yeast that can cause life-threatening infections in some patients is becoming more common in Tennessee, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC reports 283 confirmed clinical cases of "Candida auris" in Tennessee so far this year, a sharp increase from 10 cases reported during the same period last year.

Despite this increase, infectious disease experts said the fungus should not be considered a threat to the general public.

Health experts said one of the biggest challenges is that Candida auris is often resistant to medications commonly used to treat fungal infections,
such is the case in Tennessee.

In Middle Tennessee, Hospitals are working to prevent the fungus from spreading by identifying cases quickly, isolating infected patients and using enhanced cleaning procedures on high-touch surfaces.