Deadly Fungus Is Spreading Rapidly In Florida

A deadly fungus is spreading rapidly in Florida.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about the urgent antimicrobial fungus making its way through the more than half of the United States.

It is called Candida auris, or C. auris.  The reason it is so concerning is because it is often resistant to anti-fungal drugs, making it hard to treat infections. It can also be hard to identify with standard lab tests, making it even more difficult to treat properly and early.

This fungus was first detected in the U.S. in 2016.  The fungus started spreading quickly between 2020 and 2021 in health care facilities and has continued to spread in 2022.    By the end of 2022, there were more than 8,000 instances of Candida auris identified across 28 states.

There is no information on how it spreads or how to prevent being infected by C. auris according to Wfla.com 

There isn’t a significant threat to healthy people, however its more of a risk in health care settings.  The fungus can enter patients’ bloodstreams and cause severe, deadly infections.

Sick people, those staying in the hospital long-term, and patients with invasive medical devices (like catheters or IVs) are most vulnerable.

Sarasota is one of three Tampa Bay cities that rank worst for allergies. So, if you have been sneezing and sniffling than you are in the right place. The report comes from Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The report looked at the Top 100 populated cities in the United States. They looked at five different areas to rank the cities: Tree, grass, and weed pollen scores, over-the-counter allergy medicine use and availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists.

Tampa Bay allergies are pretty bad and Florida has seven cities in the Top 20. Florida doesn't have the #1 city as that belongs to Wichita, Kansas. Wichita ranks first in weed, grass and tree pollen. Sarasota ranks third in tree pollen. Orlando ranks fifth in weed pollen.

The AAFA says about the report, "The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has produced Allergy Capitals reports since 2003 to help people recognize, prevent, and manage seasonal allergies. Since that first report, seasonal allergies have worsened."

Over 100 million American deals with allergies every year. There are a couple of tips the AAFA has for people that deal with allergies. One is, check pollen counts or forecasts daily. Another is, change and wash clothes after outdoor activities. Check out the report for more tips.

Finally, check out the Top cities below.

[SOURCE: WTSP]

As mentioned above this is consensus #1 city in the United States. They rank #1 in weed, grass and tree pollen.

Dallas ranks high in tree and grass pollen, but not in weed pollen.

The TV show The Office is based in Scranton, PA. Did they seem to have the sniffles?

The first of two Oklahoma cities in a row. Bring some tissues if you visit.

Tulsa ranks Top 10 in all three pollen categories.

Sarasota is the first of seven Florida cities in the Top 20. They are in the Top 10 for tree and grass pollen.

The second Florida city in the Top 10. They rank high in tree pollen, but not in the other two.

If I counted correctly Orlando is the third Florida city in a row on this list.

Miami isn't immune from allergies. Miami is in the Top of the list in tree pollen.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp5ia5xNn22/

Lakeland makes the list because it ranks in the Top 20 for grass and weed pollen.

If you headed directly east from Tampa Bay you will run right into Palm Bay. It is located on the east coast of Florida.

Of course Tampa is on the list. Tampa actually doesn't rank that high in tree or gass pollen. 22nd and 24th and Tampa is 41st in weed pollen. Maybe it just seems worse than that.