Covid-19 and its spread royally screwed things up. From rampant deaths across the globe, to the mishandling of information and services. Don’t even get us started on the political divide over wearing masks. Unfortunately, with all the attention given to the coronavirus, there’s another biological interloper that’s beginning its sweep across the country. Candida aurism, a deadly fungus, has been ignored due to the large focus on Covid. Worryingly, the CDC as has noted a increased dramatically over the past three years.
And here we thought “The Last of Us” was just a series. Much unlike cordyceps, this fungus is grounded in the real world. Rather than transform us all into hive-mind zombies, this fungus just kills those exposed to it. With a 60% mortality rate, it isn’t to be ignored. The most vulnerable to the effects of this fungus are those past middle-age, and the immunocompromised. Worse still, this fungal strain is highly resistant to anti-fungal medications. Usually the first thing to throw at a fungal infection. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about.
How To Prevent Spread
The CDC is worried. In 2020, there were only a total of 757 cases. Since the pandemic, the numbers have jumped to 1,474 in 2021 to 2,377 in 2022. That’s extremely disconcerting according to health officials.
““The rise in echinocandin-resistant cases and evidence of transmission is particularly concerning because echinocandins are first-line therapy for invasive Candida infections, including C auris…These findings highlight the need for improved detection and infection control practices to prevent spread of C auris,” a research paper in the Annals of Internal Medicine said.
Candida Aurism, or C auris, was discovered in Japan in 2009. Though its earliest discovery dates back to 1996 in South Korea. Apparently, the fungus thrives in hospital or nursing home settings. And can live on the skin of a person without infecting them. It’s spread through direct contact with a patient or surfaces. The washing of hands and use of sanitizers — as well as gloves and gowns in medical facilities — are the best defense against contracting or spreading it. Generally, the fungus isn’t a risk to the young. As C auris cases continue to rise, let’s keep our fingers crossed that better prevention is in development.
