The Health Department of Rio Grande do Norte (Sesap) has released a technical note outlining prevention and control measures for the superfungus Candida auris after the state confirmed its first case. In January, the presence of the fungus was confirmed in a patient hospitalized at the Military Police Hospital in Natal. The department is closely monitoring the situation with the support of the Ministry of Health and the National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance (Anvisa).

Recent tests revealed that Candida auris was detected on the bed and chair used by the patient, who is currently receiving treatment for an unrelated medical condition and is not exhibiting symptoms linked to the fungal infection. Since the initial case announcement, no additional infections have been reported, which has provided a slight reassurance to the authorities as they actively work to manage the situation.

Globally, most documented Candida auris infections have occurred in hospital environments, making the guidelines issued by the Health Department crucial for healthcare settings. These measures aim to minimize the risk of further spread within healthcare facilities, emphasizing the importance of hygiene and infection control practices in protecting patients and staff from the potentially serious threat posed by this multidrug-resistant fungus.