What is Candida auris?
Candida auris is a yeast (a type of fungus not a virus or bacterium).
It can live:
- On the skin
- On surfaces
- Inside the body, including the bloodstream and organs
It’s classified as an emerging global health threat by major public health bodies, including the CDC and WHO.
Why is C. auris So Dangerous?
- Highly Drug-Resistant: Over 90% of C. auris strains are resistant to one or more antifungal drugs.
- Difficult to Diagnose: Symptoms often resemble other illnesses—fever, aches, chills, and fatigue—which can delay detection.
- Hard to Eradicate: It survives on surfaces and skin for prolonged periods, making it difficult to eliminate from healthcare settings.
- Potentially Deadly: Around 30% to 60% of infected individuals do not survive, especially if diagnosis or treatment is delayed.
Transmission & Risk Factors
C. auris is spread through direct contact with:
- Infected individuals
- Contaminated surfaces or medical equipment
Those most at risk include:
- Hospitalised patients
- Individuals in Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
- People with weakened immune systems (elderly, newborns, patients with cancer, diabetes, or organ failure)
In one 2017 outbreak at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, 76 patients in the Neurosciences ICU were affected, 69 had the yeast colonised on their skin, and 7 developed bloodstream infections.
A Global Timeline of Outbreaks
- 2009: First case recorded in Japan
- 2013: UK, India, and USA report initial cases
- 2014–2016: Spread to South Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Spain
- 2018: First case reported in Australia
Today, C. auris has been reported across six continents and continues to challenge infection control systems worldwide.
The Impact on Healthcare Systems
In 2015, the Royal Brompton Hospital’s ICU in the UK was closed for 11 days due to a C. auris outbreak. In 2017 alone, over 250 cases were reported in 25 NHS hospitals. Globally, Candida species are responsible for over 1.5 million deaths annually, with 1.565 million cases of invasive candidiasis each year.
Symptoms to Watch For
Candida auris infections may include:
- Persistent fever or chills
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- In severe cases: bloodstream infection (sepsis), organ abscesses, or fungal growths on heart valves
Because many infected patients are already seriously ill, these symptoms can easily be overlooked—emphasising the need for early screening and strong hygiene protocols.
Medipal: Fighting Back with Science
At Pal International, our Medipal Disinfectant Wipes have been independently tested (EN13624) and proven effective against Candida auris in just 60 seconds. These wipes are trusted in clinical settings to help break the chain of transmission on high-touch surfaces and critical care equipment.
Protecting Patients and Staff
To reduce the spread of Candida auris, we recommend:
Education of healthcare staff and patients
Thorough hand and surface hygiene
Isolation precautions for infected patients
Rigorous disinfection using products proven to work against fungal pathogens
