Emerging Fungal Outbreak Worries CDC, WHO

[El Lazaro]

Don’t worry, it’s not that one, but the opening scene discussing the threat of deadly fungi in The Last of Us may be a prudent (if also exaggerated and sensational) warning.

Candida auris was discovered in 2009 and spread to the US in 2015. Recent reports indicate that cases grew from 53 annual cases in 2016 to 476 in 2019 and 1,471 in 2022 (out of 4,041 patients screened), with many cases resistant to all classes of anti-fungal drugs. Candida auris is easily spread through person-to-person contact, is difficult for doctors to identify, and one in three patients died within a month after it entered the bloodstream or internal tissue. The silver lining is that infections are generally mild or asymptomatic for those who do not have serious medical issues or compromised immune systems, but the fungus may live on an infected patient’s skin for years or decades. The main symptoms are high fever and chills. The WHO classified C. auris as one of several “fungal priority pathogens” it was concerned about in 2022, and the CDC labeled it an "urgent antimicrobial resistance threat" this year. COVID’s strain on the healthcare system is believed to be a reason for the surge in cases.

CDC
BBC
CNN Health

Obviously not a medical professional, but it’s not time to panic about doomsday yet. There’s never been a fungal pandemic, and while that doesn’t mean we should be complacent, it’s probably not going to upend everyday life. On the other hand, fungal diseases are definitely an underestimated threat, and the fact much of the world will be warmer and wetter due to climate change means fungal outbreaks are going to be in the news more and more. So NSG, how are we feeling about this?

[Bombadil]

I, for one, welcome our new fungal overlords.

[New-Minneapolis]

Fungal outbreaks are easier to manage than outbreaks of respiratory viruses, Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer.

[Nilokeras]

Like a lot of drug-resistant infection, candidiasis is mostly contracted by people with weakened immune systems in hospital settings. C. auris is a particularly nasty and drug resistant species within the Candida genus, which has other species that can cause candidiasis.

The big takeaway, like with antibiotic resistance, is that we need to start re-building the drug discovery pipelines that built up our library of frontline medications - sadly neglected because nobody makes money on antibiotics/antifungals - or else this is going to become yet another burden on acute care systems.

[Emotional Support Crocodile]

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was right to warn us.

[The Blaatschapen]

Someone let Ricky Gervais out?

Good.

He's a fun guy, he should be free.

[Ratateague]

Obviously not a medical professional, but it’s not time to panic about doomsday yet. There’s never been a fungal pandemic, and while that doesn’t mean we should be complacent, it’s probably not going to upend everyday life. On the other hand, fungal diseases are definitely an underestimated threat, and the fact much of the world will be warmer and wetter due to climate change means fungal outbreaks are going to be in the news more and more.

Out of curiosity, if there were a transmissible fungal outbreak, how different would the health and safety measures compare to a viral or bacterial outbreak?

[Nilokeras]

Obviously not a medical professional, but it’s not time to panic about doomsday yet. There’s never been a fungal pandemic, and while that doesn’t mean we should be complacent, it’s probably not going to upend everyday life. On the other hand, fungal diseases are definitely an underestimated threat, and the fact much of the world will be warmer and wetter due to climate change means fungal outbreaks are going to be in the news more and more.

Out of curiosity, if there were a transmissible fungal outbreak, how different would the health and safety measures compare to a viral or bacterial outbreak?

Candidiasis is already transmissible between people - you have the yeast that causes candidiasis growing on your skin and your saliva right now. It's suppressed by your immune system and can't cause infection unless you're already unwell, such as post surgery or while immunocompromised.

When outbreaks occur it's usually in unsanitary conditions (daycares, for example) or where there's a large concentration of people with weakened immune systems, like care homes for the elderly or hospital wards. These outbreaks usually take the form of specific chains of transmission, like insufficiently cleaned equipment that infect patients in clusters.

[Zanderlock]

Welp, we all know where this goes! PRAY IT'S THE MOVIE VERSION!

[The Vooperian Union]

Can I join?

[DeMoNiC sAtAn]

When I saw this thread, I wondered if it was Candida auris.

Intriguing that it's spreading so fast, although not entirely unsurprised.

[Past beans]

yea we all know what's about to happen.

[DeMoNiC sAtAn]

Can I join?

This isn't RP...

[Cookies]

Can I join?

This isn't RP...

Personally I don't blame them.

[The Vooperian Union]

"This pandemic is worrying, and with its fast spread rate and high lethality rate, we need to contain this. Tell 120986383 to start work on a cure." Said VUHSO (Vooperian Unified Health and Safety Organisation) Official 305949198 "James".

[The Blaatschapen]

"This pandemic is worrying, and with its fast spread rate and high lethality rate, we need to contain this. Tell 120986383 to start work on a cure." Said VUHSO (Vooperian Unified Health and Safety Organisation) Official 305949198 "James".

This is not a role play.

[Neanderthaland]

Someone let Ricky Gervais out?

Good.

He's a fun guy, he should be free.

The thread title clearly states they're looking for a fun gal

[Page]

Guys, you're all failing to ask the most important question: Does this lead to a future in which Pedro Pascal calls us "baby girl"? I mean I'm a grown man with a few grays in my beard and even I kinda want that.

[Hispida]

Obviously not a medical professional, but it’s not time to panic about doomsday yet. There’s never been a fungal pandemic, and while that doesn’t mean we should be complacent, it’s probably not going to upend everyday life. On the other hand, fungal diseases are definitely an underestimated threat, and the fact much of the world will be warmer and wetter due to climate change means fungal outbreaks are going to be in the news more and more.

Out of curiosity, if there were a transmissible fungal outbreak, how different would the health and safety measures compare to a viral or bacterial outbreak?

well, for one, you can't make vaccines for fungi. ...well, you theoretically can, but practically it's butt-fuck hard and purely theory for a lot of the big ones. fungal cells are pretty similar to human cells, so that's risky, fungal cells change pretty often, and alongside how harsh safety procedures are for vaccines and how much more prevalent (and diagnosed) viral and bacterial infections are fungal vaccinations aren't really high on the priority list. fungi also aren't terribly capable of having massive pandemics: to my knowledge, there hasn't been a single one in recorded history.

[El Lazaro]

Obviously not a medical professional, but it’s not time to panic about doomsday yet. There’s never been a fungal pandemic, and while that doesn’t mean we should be complacent, it’s probably not going to upend everyday life. On the other hand, fungal diseases are definitely an underestimated threat, and the fact much of the world will be warmer and wetter due to climate change means fungal outbreaks are going to be in the news more and more.

Out of curiosity, if there were a transmissible fungal outbreak, how different would the health and safety measures compare to a viral or bacterial outbreak?

Not to repeat other replies, but this is a fungal outbreak transmissible by human and environmental contact. The current health and safety measures include hand washing, sanitizing rooms, cleaning clothes, and avoiding unsafe skin/blood contact.

Hypothetically speaking, if the CDC reclassified the C. auris outbreak as an epidemic and upped the urgency, it would probably be because the transmissibility and the likelihood of becoming invasive in healthy individuals with stronger immune systems has increased by a lot. Fungi mutate much more slowly than viruses and bacteria, so this is far from as likely as a new, much more infectious COVID variant breaking out earlier in the pandemic. The research and distribution of new anti-fungal medications could become a priority, and perhaps self-quarantines and strict hygiene measures would be advised.

Guys, you're all failing to ask the most important question: Does this lead to a future in which Pedro Pascal calls us "baby girl"? I mean I'm a grown man with a few grays in my beard and even I kinda want that.

Um, interesting fantasy, but probably not? I guess I shouldn’t spoil anything, but this is more “mundane tragedy” than “post-apocalyptic drama” and probably won’t lead to the total breakdown of human society.

[Theodores Tomfooleries]

Don’t worry, it’s not that one, but the opening scene discussing the threat of deadly fungi in The Last of Us may be a prudent (if also exaggerated and sensational) warning.

Candida auris was discovered in 2009 and spread to the US in 2015. Recent reports indicate that cases grew from 53 annual cases in 2016 to 476 in 2019 and 1,471 in 2022 (out of 4,041 patients screened), with many cases resistant to all classes of anti-fungal drugs. Candida auris is easily spread through person-to-person contact, is difficult for doctors to identify, and one in three patients died within a month after it entered the bloodstream or internal tissue. The silver lining is that infections are generally mild or asymptomatic for those who do not have serious medical issues or compromised immune systems, but the fungus may live on an infected patient’s skin for years or decades. The main symptoms are high fever and chills. The WHO classified C. auris as one of several “fungal priority pathogens” it was concerned about in 2022, and the CDC labeled it an "urgent antimicrobial resistance threat" this year. COVID’s strain on the healthcare system is believed to be a reason for the surge in cases.

CDC
BBC
CNN Health

Obviously not a medical professional, but it’s not time to panic about doomsday yet. There’s never been a fungal pandemic, and while that doesn’t mean we should be complacent, it’s probably not going to upend everyday life. On the other hand, fungal diseases are definitely an underestimated threat, and the fact much of the world will be warmer and wetter due to climate change means fungal outbreaks are going to be in the news more and more. So NSG, how are we feeling about this?

Quickly! Everyone run around in circles and make it worse than it's actually going to be!

[The Blaatschapen]

Someone let Ricky Gervais out?

Good.

He's a fun guy, he should be free.

The thread title clearly states they're looking for a fun gal