CDC reports uptick in Candida auris cases
The number of confirmed and probable cases of the multidrug-resistant fungus Candida auris in the United States rose to 716 as of May 31, reflecting an increase of 32, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its most recent case-count update.
The number of affected states remains at 12, with New York (340), Illinois (184), and New Jersey (147) reporting the vast majority of cases. Other states reporting cases include Florida (20), Massachusetts (8), California (5), Texas (4), Maryland (3), Oklahoma (2), Connecticut (1), Indiana (1), and Virginia (1).
Of the cases reported to the CDC, 30 are probable and 686 have been lab-confirmed. In its previous update, involving cases through April, the CDC reported 684 C auris cases. An additional 1,342 patients have been found to be colonized with C auris, as determined by targeted screening in 10 states with clinical cases.
Since it was identified in 2009 in Japan, C auris has triggered outbreaks in healthcare facilities in 23 countries, and 12 countries have reported single cases. C auris can cause serious invasive infections in immunocompromised patients, and has shown resistance to three major antifungal drug classes. The CDC has estimated that 30% to 60% of patients with infections have died.
Jul 12 CDC update
Welsh government releases AMR plan for animals and the environment
The government of Wales yesterday released a 5-year plan to address antimicrobial resistance in animals and the environment.
The plan, which aligns with the United Kingdom's 5-year national action plan on AMR, lays out how the government aims to reduce antimicrobial use in animals and contain the spread of resistance in the environment. The five major components of the plan included reducing the need for antimicrobials in farmed animals through better infection prevention and control; optimizing the use of antimicrobials in animals through improved stewardship; minimizing the amount of resistant bacteria and resistance genes in the environment; building stronger laboratory capacity and AMR surveillance in animals; and investing in innovation.
The government says it will establish a new body—the Animal and Environment AMR Delivery Group—to monitor implementation of the plan and ensure that the outcomes are achieved.
Jul 15 Welsh government 5-year plan