A deadly mushroom attacks in the countries of the region and puts Argentina on alert

A fungus called Candida auris is spreading around the world. It concerns long-term hospitalized patients, especially in intensive care units, and is difficult to eradicate because it is resistant to most drugs. Until now, no reports have been reported in Argentina, although in other countries in the region.

It was first identified in 2009 in a Japanese patient. Since then, there have been cases on different continents, especially in countries such as South Korea, South Africa, Kuwait, and India. In October 2016, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization issued an alert "to the first outbreaks that appeared in Latin America", as there were cases in Venezuela, Colombia and Colombia. in the USA.

He settled in New York (309 confirmed cases), Illinois (144) and New Jersey (104). As a result, at the end of March, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement warning that this fungus "poses a serious threat to global health."

In this report, the CDC also published a map of the world situation. Argentina is in white, which means that no case has been reported before February 2019.

Constanza Taverna, from the Department of Mycology at the Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán Institute, confirmed Clarin that "until now, no case has been reported" in our country. When asked if he is able to install, he responds that he "can go anywhere."

Taverna points out that "it's not a virus", but that they are called "opportunistic pathogens". He adds: "In general, this concerns immunocompromised patients, patients hospitalized for several days, antibiotics administered for several days and catheters."

When asked if a person who could be infected in another country and then go to Argentina, he answers that "yes, he persists in the body", although he repeats that "it is not a virus "and that it occurs in a hospital setting. . In addition, explains that "now, like any warning, is usually not releasing the patient until they do not take certain samples and is determined not to have more in the body . "

Source: Clarín