The number of cases of Candida auris (C. auris), a dangerous multidrug-resistant fungus, in the U.S. has grown from 7 to 122 over the past 9 months, the CDC says in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. [1]
Thirteen people in the United States have been infected with a potentially deadly, drug-resistant fungal infection since 2009, health officials say. [1] [2]
Source: CNN
Of those infected, 4 individuals died; but it is not clear whether they died from the infection or from other underlying health problems. [1]
Dr. Tom Chiller, who is chief of the mycotic diseases branch of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), said:
“I am worried. I think this is a real threat.” [2]
In a time when radiation exposure from a number of sources, including air travel, nuclear power, and former testing grounds seems unavoidable, any news of radio-protective substance is good news. Fortunately, emerging research is indicating that melanin in fungi, which is also the pigment responsible for skin color in humans, may not only enable some fungi to survive ionizing radiation, but also to feed off of it.
If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of having a landlord who doesn’t seem to care that toxic mold is growing in your house or apartment, you might want to consider moving to California, because the state isn’t putting up with that kind of neglect anymore.
California recently became the first state to declare that the presence of mold is an enforceable substandard housing condition. The law, which went into effect January 1, declares that the visible presence of mold is a misdemeanor.
