Over 3,000 cases of deadly fungus Candida auris reported in US: What it is, how it spreads- explained

Over 3,000 cases of deadly fungus Candida auris reported in US. More than 3,100 cases of Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus that can cause life-threatening infections, have been reported across 23 states in the United States so far this year, according to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The CDC recorded 3,130 confirmed cases as of July 18, with Texas reporting the highest number at 706, followed by Michigan (503).What is Candida auris?Candida auris (C. auris) is a type of fungus that can cause severe infections, particularly in people who are already seriously ill. The CDC warns that many strains are resistant to multiple antifungal medicines, making infections difficult to treat."C. auris can be multidrug-resistant and can cause life-threatening illness. It spreads easily in healthcare facilities and mostly affects people who are already very sick," the CDC says.Unlike many other fungal infections, C. auris can survive on hospital surfaces for weeks, allowing it to spread through contaminated equipment, shared medical devices or contact with infected patients.How does it spread?The fungus is most commonly found in hospitals, nursing...