Deadly Drug Resistant Fungus Spreading Quickly In New York State

The Centers For Disease Control is warning New York residents about a new fungus that is resistant to drugs, deadly, and spreading fast. If you have recently watched the "Last of Us," a deadly fungus might sound terrifying.

Health Officials Warn Of Fungus Spreading In New York State Health Care Facilities

The fungus, a type of yeast called Candida auris, or C. auris, has been spreading at rates that are alarming scientists at the Centers for Disease Control. It can cause serious illness or even death for immunocompromised people. It is also drug-resistant,

Antifungal medicines commonly used to treat Candida infections often don’t work for Candida auris. Some C. auris infections have been resistant to all three types of antifungal medicines.

In New York State, there have been 326 cases of C. auris between January 2022 and December 2022. NY has the fourth highest number of cases behind:

Nevada - 384
California - 359
Florida - 349

The CDC says that most people who get sick from the fungus are already suffering from other medical issues,

The most common symptoms of invasive Candida infection are fever and chills that don’t improve after antibiotic treatment for a suspected bacterial infection. Only a laboratory test can diagnose C. auris infection.

A Potentially Deadly Disease Caused By Ticks Spreading In New York State

The Centers for Disease Control recently released a report warning that cases of a potentially fatal disease spread by ticks have increased in New York.

Babesiosis is an emerging zoonotic tickborne parasitic disease in the United States and occurs primarily in the Northeast and Midwest.

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When Is Tick Season In New York State?

Young deer ticks, which are called nymphs, are active from mid-May to mid-August. Adult ticks become active a bit earlier in New York State - from March to mid-May and from mid-August to November. Ticks can become active anytime the temperature rises above freezing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control,

Babesiosis trends were assessed in 10 states* where babesiosis was reportable during 2011–2019. Incidence increased significantly in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Blacklegged ticks, otherwise known as deer ticks, are primarily responsible for spreading Babesiosis through their bites. The first known case was discovered in Massachusetts in 1969.

Babesiosis can be mild or severe - potentially fatal - to younger people who are immunocompromised.
Common symptoms of Babesiosis include:

- Fever
- Muscle/joint pain
- Headaches

In certain patients, severe complications can occur, including thrombocytopenia, renal failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Babesiosis can be treated using a combination of antimicrobial medications, such as azithromycin and atovaquone.

 

Total Cases Of Babesiosis In New York From 2011 To 2019 - 4,738

2011 - 418 Cases
2012 - 253 Cases
2013 - 534 Cases
2014 - 471 Cases
2015 - 581 Cases
2016 - 430 Cases
2017 - 696 Cases
2018 - 641 Cases
2019 - 663 Cases

You can view the report here.

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