Next Epidemic Could Be a Potentially Deadly Fungus

The next pandemic could be a sometimes deadly fungal infection called Candida auris, according to experts with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The yeast-like fungus can be fatal if it enters the bloodstream, experts said, namely if it enters the body via healthcare and hospital settings. According to reports, the deadly infection has become the cause of hospitalizations in Florida in recent months and has spread in COVID-19 wards. “Candida auris can spread in healthcare settings through contact with contaminated environmental surfaces or equipment, or from person to person. More work is needed to further understand how it spreads,” said the CDC’s report. Earlier this month, the CDC and Florida Department of Health carried out a joint investigation focused on infection prevention. They said that enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures killed off the Candida auris. “Outbreaks such as that described in this report highlight the importance of …