Drug Resistant Fungus Infection Continues Spread in Michigan

Move over, MRSA! A new, deadly fungal infection has been slowly spreading and making a name for itself in Michigan. Candida auris (C. auris), or, as it's known in less scientific terms, the fungus that won't die.

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The University of Michigan describes C. auris as a stubborn, hospital-loving yeast infection that nobody wants to see outside of a petri dish. This little menace spreads faster than gossip at a family reunion. It attaches itself to places like IV lines, feeding tubes—pretty much anything that is keeping sick people alive.

The Superpower Michigan Didn't Want: Drug-Resistant Yeast Infections

What makes C. auris so deadly is that it laughs in the face of traditional fungal infection treatments, and for those with weakened immune systems, it can be deadly. Healthy and younger people are relatively safe, according to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS); however, for those with catheters, breathing tubes, and other life-saving treatments, C. auris lurks in the shadows, rubbing its nasty little hands together and waiting for an opportunity to cling to a living host.

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The Detroit News reports that this fungus can also move into the bloodstream, adding another layer of 'yuck' to an already scary situation.

What Can Be Done to Stop the Spread of C. auris in Michigan?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) first began tracking C. auris in Michigan in 2021, when there were only 3 cases in the state. That number jumped to 32 in 2022, and 2023 (the latest data available) saw a staggering 114 C. auris diagnoses.

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Until treatment is found, Michigan's caregiving communities will keep fighting this persistent and tiny invader with bleach and aggressive screening. For more information on C. auris, symptoms, and treatments, visit the CDC's website or click here (CDC).