Candida auris, screening in Montana

• Fever and chills: Especially if not improving after antibiotic treatment for suspected bacterial infections.
• Sepsis-like symptoms: If the infection spreads to the bloodstream, patients may show signs of severe systemic infection.
• Site-specific symptoms: Pain or discharge for wound or ear infections; urinary symptoms for bladder infections.
• Note: There are no unique symptoms for *Candida auris*, making lab testing essential for diagnosis.

*Candida auris* primarily spreads in healthcare settings through direct contact with infected or colonized patients, or indirectly via contaminated environmental surfaces and shared medical equipment. It does not spread through the air. The yeast can colonize a patient's skin and other body sites without causing symptoms, making silent transmission possible.

• Strict hand hygiene: Healthcare workers and visitors must clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub.
• Contact precautions: Use of gowns and gloves when interacting with infected or colonized patients in healthcare settings.
• Thorough environmental cleaning: Meticulous disinfection of patient rooms and medical equipment with specific products.
• Prompt identification and isolation: Screening and isolating patients at high risk or those already colonized/infected to prevent spread.
• Antimicrobial stewardship: Judicious use of antibiotics and antifungals to reduce resistance.