Candida auris (C. auris) is a new, emerging fungus that presents a serious global health threat. This novel multi-drug resistant organism (N-MDRO) has caused several healthcare facility outbreaks in the US and abroad. C. auris is a particular health concern because it: can cause severe, antibiotic-resistant infections; is difficult to identify using traditional yeast identification methods; can survive on healthcare setting surfaces for long periods; and can spread easily to patients in healthcare settings.

On May 7, 2019, LAC DPH released an LAHAN describing the first cases of C. auris in Southern California.

LAC DPH currently considers the following populations to be at high risk for C. auris colonization or infection:

• Persons being admitted from a facility with ongoing C. auris transmission
• Persons who have recently been discharged from a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) or subacute unit of a skilled nursing facility (aka ventilator-capable SNFs (vSNFs))
• High-risk contacts of C. auris confirmed cases (i.e., roommates)
• Persons on a mechanical ventilator or with presence of tracheostomy
• Persons who are colonized or infected with an MDRO, especially rare carbapenemase-producing organisms
• Persons who have had a recent overnight stay in a healthcare facility outside of the United States

Patients/residents meeting any of these criteria should be screened for C. auris colonization.

• Meticulous attention to infection prevention and control, including:
  • good hand hygiene (either hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitizing with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer);
  • proper selection, use, and disposal of personal protective equipment; and
  • appropriate and effective environmental cleaning and disinfection using an agent effective against C. auris.
• Healthcare facilities should review all interim recommendations from the CDC regarding C. auris infection prevention and control and should monitor the CDC site for new information and revisions to current recommendations

• Assistance in determining what types of high-risk patients should be screened for C. auris
• C. auris colonization swabs and/or testing services for certain high-risk patients
• Confirmatory C. auris testing for suspect clinical isolates
• C. auris educational materials
• Sample C. auris protocols, policies, and/or signage
• Infection control consultation to help your facility prepare for and/or contain C. auris

General:

• CDPH Health Advisory: Candida auris in Nevada State Healthcare Facilities September 2022
• Mitigating the Spread of Candida auris in Los Angeles County (2-7-22)
• CDPH Health Advisory: Further Emergence of Candida auris in Healthcare Facilities Outside of Orange and Los Angeles Counties (2-1-22)
• LAC DPH Candida auris Transfer Recommendations and FAQs for Healthcare Facilities
• CDPH Health Advisory: Active Surveillance for Candida auris in Healthcare Facilities (March 2021)
• CDPH Health Advisory: Resurgence of Candida auris in Healthcare Facilities in the setting of COVID-19 (8-20-20)
• LA DPH Health Advisory: Resurgence of Candida auris in Los Angeles County (7-17-20)
• LAC DPH Novel Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (N-MDRO) Candida auris Newsletter
• CDC C. auris website

Infection Prevention and Control:

• LACDPH C. auris 1-pager for SNFs (1-3-24)
• LAC DPH Webinar: Mitigating the Spread of C. auris in Los Angeles County (3-11-22) slides
• CDPH C. auris website
• CDPH/CDC/LACDPH Webinar: Prevention of C. auris and other Novel MDROs (12-10-20) slides recording
• The Do's and Don'ts of Candida auris
• C. auris PPS Line List Template
• Who Cleans What & When Template
• LAC DPH Webinar - Candida auris: Best Practices for Dialysis Centers slides recording (7-30-21)
• LAC DPH Template Letter for Suspect/Confirmed C. auris Patients Discharged Home
• LAC C. auris Frequently Asked Questions for Dialysis Centers (5-27-21)
• LAC DPH C.auris Action Plan Checklist
• CDC Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations

Laboratory Identification and Testing:

• When to suspect C.auris
• List of Laboratories with C. auris Testing Capacity
• LAC DPH C.auris Frequently Asked Questions to Aid Clinical Laboratorians at the Bench
• CDC Algorithm to identify C.auris based on Laboratory Method
• CDC Recommendations for Identification of C.auris
• LACDPH Monthly MDRO Lab Newsletter
• CDPH/LACDPH Candida auris Reporting, Surveillance, and Laboratory Testing slides recording (11-9-22)
• CDPH/LACDPH Finding Candida auris in California Clinical Laboratories: Strategies That Work for Us! slides recording (5-19-22)

Related Links:

• LAC DPH Novel Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (NMDROs)
• LAC DPH Inter-Facility Transfer Communication Guidance

Patients and their Families:

• C. auris Patient Testing Flyer
• CDC Information for Patients and Family Members
• C. auris FAQ for Patients and their Families