New drug-resistant fungal disease increases among vulnerable patients

Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus, has been reported in over half of the states, with 28 states reporting more than 3,500 cases as of Aug. 1. The yeast poses an urgent threat because it resists multiple antifungal drugs and spreads easily among people undergoing complex medical care. Risk factors include severe underlying medical conditions, and symptoms can vary but may involve fever or chills.