We are aware of a rising number of cases of Candida auris overseas, including in the United States, and are monitoring the situation closely.
New Zealand has recently detected one case of Candida auris, which was acquired overseas.
Infections from Candida auris occur mainly in patients who have spent a long time in aged residential homes or hospitals and have invasive medical devices entering their body such as intravenous lines, urinary catheters, or have previously received some antibiotics or other anti-fungal medicines. Hospitals in New Zealand currently have good infection prevention and control measures in place to minimise spread, including guidelines for healthcare workers on preventing infections when inserting medical devices.
Symptoms of Candida auris vary depending on the infected part of the body, but common signs include a persistent fever and chills.
If you or a whānau member has recently spent time in a hospital overseas and have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor or your iwi health provider, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.
If you or anyone in your whānau is seriously ill, call 111 for emergency help.
