Candida auris is an emerging infection, a yeast that is multidrug resistant and has a propensity to spread in healthcare settings. Outbreaks have occurred in several states around the country. C. auris has been identified in Orange County since early in 2019, and is now present in much of Southern California. The highest risk for C. auris transmission is found in long term acute care hospitals and skilled nursing facility units that care for ventilated patients, though transmission has also been identified in acute care hospitals in Orange County. Rigorous adherence to infection control measures is essential for containing its spread in healthcare facilities.
C. auris isolates found around the world have frequently been found to be resistant to multiple antifungal medication types. Multiple different C. auris clades (strains) have been identified in Orange County. The vast majority of isolates tested in our county have been found to be resistant to triazoles such as fluconazole, but susceptible to amphotericin B and echinocandins such as micafungin.
All SNFs, LTACHs, and acute care hospital should develop a plan to respond to C. auris for their facility, depending on their patient population, epidemiology, and resources. Healthcare facilities can contact our HAI team at HAITeam@ochca.com with any questions.
Additional information for healthcare facilities can be found in slides from an OCHCA webinar reviewing C. auris which occurred in August 2023, and can be found here.
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Page Last Updated: 9/6/2023
