Drug-resistant ‘super fungus’ found in US state for the first time

The highly contagious infection can cause severe illness in people already being treated for multiple serious or chronic health conditions. 

A drug-resistant “super” fungus has been discovered in the US state of Mississippi for the first time, health officials have said. Seven patients were being treated for Candida auris (C. auris) as of Monday, according to officials from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC).

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warns that C. auris is “an emerging fungus that presents a serious global health threat”. The infection, which is highly contagious and resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, can cause severe illness in people already being treated for multiple serious or chronic health conditions.