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A dangerous, drug-resistant fungus is spreading in Missouri health care facilities

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says it continues to detect a rising number of cases of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris in health care facilities across the state, prompting renewed guidance for hospitals, nursing homes and other providers.

Missouri officials said the state first identified a locally acquired Candida auris infection in October 2023. Since then, cases have expanded across nearly every type of health care setting.

Cases rising across nearly all health care settings

Once a patient tests positive for C. auris, they are considered colonized for life, and infection control precautions should remain in place indefinitely. The fungus can survive on surfaces for weeks and spread through close contact or contaminated equipment.

The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.

(Story by Kathryn Skopec, ozarksfirst.com)

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