An emerging fungal superbug, Candida auris, is raising alarms across healthcare systems worldwide. Once a rare curiosity, this dangerous pathogen has rapidly evolved into a major public health threat, with hospitals in the United States, United Kingdom, and several other countries reporting sharp increases in infections over the past year.
Originally discovered in Japan in 2009, Candida auris is now listed by the World Health Organization as a "critical" priority fungal pathogen. It spreads easily, resists common antifungal medications, and poses a serious risk to hospitalized and immunocompromised patients.
