Health experts are troubled by the recent increase in the U.S. of Candida auris, a potentially deadly yeast infection found to be resistant to treatment, according to an article on the Consumer Reports website.
As of mid-March, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 53 cases have been reported in the U.S. And about 60 percent of the Americans who contracted C. auris have died.
C. auris can move from one person to another in hospitals, unlike other invasive yeast infections. It can cause outbreaks because it can live on contaminated objects such as bedrails, chairs, catheters and other equipment, and on the hands of healthcare providers, the article said.
Protective steps include making sure hospital staff are washing their hands correctly.
There’s no research yet available on the best disinfectant for C. auris, but the CDC recommends the use of an Environmental Protection Agency registered hospital-grade disinfectant that's effective against Clostridium difficile spores.
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