WARNING: Deadly Fungus on the Rise in Iowa

When I first heard about this, it sounded like something straight out of the hit HBO show 'The Last of Us.'

As if we already didn't have a whole lot to worry about, now there's some sort of fungus we should be keeping an eye out for? It can lead to complications with medication and even death according to experts.

Unfortunately, it seems to be making a home right here in the Midwest.

Get our free mobile app

What Is Candida auris?

According to the CDC, Candida auris otherwise known as C. auris is a type of yeast that reportedly causes "severe illness."

It easily can spread through healthcare facilities and infect some of the most vulnerable patients. This fungus also can cause infections in the ears, open wounds, and the bloodstream.

There are cases of people contracting C. auris and NOT getting sick.

However, one of the main concerns that comes with this dangerous yeast is that it is actually resistant to anti-fungal treatments, according to experts at the CDC.

Number of C. auris clinical cases through December 31, 2022

Nationwide Cases

Reports confirm that this fungus is spreading throughout over half of the country. In 2022, twenty-eight states had confirmed cases of C. auris.

These include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

In this report, it was determined that Nevada, California, Florida, New York, Illinois, and Texas have the highest number of cases on average.

How Bad Is It in Iowa?

According to a recent report from the Iowa Health and Human Services department, Iowans don't have to worry too much. When C. auris was initially on the rise in 2019-2022 there was only one reported clinical case and one screening case.

However, in 2023 there was a bit of a rise in those numbers. Last year, officials reported two clinical cases and fourteen screening cases.

Due to the case numbers steadily increasing in places like Illinois, experts are nervous about what this could mean in the Hawkeye State.

Stay up to date with everything going on in the Midwest by downloading the free station app from the app store. Also, do not forget to follow the station across all social media platforms for the latest news updates.