LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — A “superbug” that causes serious infections continues to spread in Las Vegas hospitals and health care facilities, reaching its highest levels in January.
A total of 202 cases of the candida auris fungus — C. auris — were reported in Nevada in January, with 69 “clinical” cases involving infections. It’s the highest number of cases since the fungus was first found at a Nevada care facility in August of 2021. State health officials reported data from January is still incomplete, and more cases could be added.
Cases are either clinical, which involves a diagnosed infection, or “colonization,” which means the fungus was found on the patient’s body but there was no infection.
C. auris is considered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be one of five “superbugs” that pose urgent threats . Superbugs are strains of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that are resistant to most antibiotics and medications used to treat infections.
