Candida auris outbreak in the Seattle area

The first known outbreak of C. auris in Washington state

Health officials with Public Health – Seattle & King County are reporting four cases of Candida auris (C. auris).

The initial case was detected in a Kindred Hospital Seattle patient in early January. The other three cases were detected later in the month. These patients had previously tested negative for C. auris when they were first admitted.

Image/CDC screenshot

This is the first known outbreak of C. auris in Washington state.

Officials continue to work with the hospital to help limit spread. This includes keeping patients who test positive for C. auris away from other patients to reduce risk of spread and using specific disinfecting cleaning products effective for C. auris. Kindred is also notifying facilities that received patients who were previously at Kindred and will notify facilities that may receive any patient who screens positive for C. auris.

C. auris has been identified from many body sites including bloodstream, urine, respiratory tract, biliary fluid, wounds, and external ear canals. It can colonize patients for many months, persist in the environment, and withstand many routinely used disinfectants in healthcare facilities.

First recognized in 2009, it has since been reported from dozens of countries.