CURRENTLY ON AIR ⇒

feedback@radioislam.org.za

[LISTEN] Concerns Raised After Deadly Super Bug Candida Auris Hits SA Private Hospitals

July 31, 2019

 

Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 31-07-2019

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)

 

Concerns have been raised about a new superbug that has the potential to be resistant to anti-fungal medication.

The deadly, drug-resistant fungus called candida auris is spreading around the world at an alarming rate and has hit South Africa’s private hospitals.

Candida auris causes a life threatening infection when it invades the blood stream of people admitted to hospital including those with compromised immune systems.

Speaking to Radio Islam, the National Institutes for Communicable Diseases Professor Nelesh Govender says candida auris tends to spread from person to person usually by direct skin contact.

“It can also spread from contaminated medical equipment or the contaminated hospital environment to an ill person.”

Professor Govender says the bug can affect a number of people.

“When you talk about children, usually newborn babies, elderly people admitted to hospital with underlying conditions, as well as people admitted to intensive care units. That’s where we’ve seen most cases of candida auris.”

Govender says the first case in South Africa was detected as far back as 2009 with some 1 700 cases detected between 2012 and 2016.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), candida auris has the ability to survive on surfaces like walls and furniture for weeks. People who contract these drug-resistant diseases typically die soon after contracting them because of their untreatable nature.

 

Listen to the interview with Nelesh Govender 

 

ADVERTISE HERE

Prime Spot!!!

Contact:
advertisingadmin@radioislam.co.za 

Related Articles

Sinan Ogun backs Erdogan

Sinan Ogun backs Erdogan

Annisa Essack | kzn@radioislam.org.za 24 May 2023 | 15:30 CAT 2 min read Dr Muhammet Kocak, a foreign policy analyst based in Ankara, spoke to Radio Islam International on the Turkish Election Run-Off due on Sunday, 28 May 2023. Turkish citizens living abroad have...

read more
The Africa Report with Tendai Marima

The Africa Report with Tendai Marima

Annisa Essack | kzn@radioislam.org.za 23 May 2023 | 17:00 CAT 2 min read Tendai Marima, speaking to Radio Islam International, says that the economy in Zimbabwe is turbulent due to the RTGS Dollar losing value rapidly. However, she further explained that the "black...

read more

Subscribe to our Newsletter

0 Comments