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CDC, NC health leaders warn of drug-resistant fungal threat in care facilities

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CDC, NC health leaders warn of drug-resistant fungal threat in care facilities


CNN — The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention and the North Carolina Division of Well being and Human Providers are warning nursing properties, hospitals and different care services concerning the unfold of a extremely contagious, hard-to-treat fungal an infection, Candida auris.

“Candida is frequent. It causes illness equivalent to thrush or vaginitis,” mentioned Dr. David Weber, medical director of the NC state program on an infection management and epidemiology. The pressure in query, Candia auris, means ear, and was first discovered within the ears of a affected person in Japan in 2009, Weber defined.

Since then, it has unfold to all continents.

A examine printed within the Annals of Inner Medication, evaluated circumstances of Candida auris reported to the CDC from 2016 to 2021 and located that medical circumstances elevated annually, rising from 53 in 2016 to 330 in 2018 after which skyrocketing from 476 in 2019 to 1,471 in 2021.

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The CDC has referred to as Candida auris an “pressing menace” as a result of it’s usually multidrug-resistant, simply spreads by well being care services and might trigger lethal illness. It is usually immune to some frequent disinfectants and could be carried on individuals’s pores and skin with out inflicting signs, facilitating its unfold to others.

“Sufferers who get it on the pores and skin, it could actually keep on for weeks and months,” Weber mentioned.

If the fungus will get into the physique, into the bloodstream as an illustration, the mortality charge is excessive, he mentioned, partly as a result of it’s immune to many common anti-fungal medicine and partly as a result of it may be tough to diagnose.

The danger, Weber mentioned, is usually to these in a well being care setting.

“This isn’t like COVID,” he mentioned. “Regular wholesome individuals are not in danger. It is older individuals, significantly within the hospital, in an intensive care unit for a chronic time period.”

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WRAL Information reached out to a number of space nursing properties and hospitals about what they’re doing to comprise the menace.

Weber mentioned UNC Hospitals are taking preventative steps by disinfecting rooms, correct hand-washing and different procedures.  WakeMed is utilizing UV lights to stop an infection and goal hard-to-kill pathogens in addition to different measures.

Drug-resistant organisms a menace worldwide

Late final 12 months, the World Well being Group launched its first record of “fungal precedence pathogens,” together with Candida auris.

“Fungal pathogens are a serious menace to public well being as they’re turning into more and more frequent and immune to remedy with solely 4 courses of antifungal medicines at present accessible,” WHO says.

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Candida auris itself first appeared as 4 strains on 4 continents between 2009 and 2015. All 4 strains have now been recognized within the US, in all probability launched by worldwide journey, the CDC says. There have been 5 identified circumstances of Candida auris in North Carolina,



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North Carolina

Multiple injuries reported in northeast Charlotte 8-car crash

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Multiple injuries reported in northeast Charlotte 8-car crash


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – An eight-car crash injured several people and shut down a major interstate on Christmas Eve, the Charlotte Fire Department confirmed.

The crash happened at Interstate 85 North at West W.T. Harris Boulevard. I-85 was shut down by 7:40 p.m. and isn’t expected to reopen before 10:40 p.m.

Of those injured, two were taken to area hospitals, according to Medic.

Crews at the scene said to expect significant delays in the area.

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For the latest traffic maps, visit drivenc.gov.

WBTV is working to find out more information. Download the free WBTV News app for the latest updates sent straight to your device.



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How AM radio helped storm recovery efforts in North Carolina

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How AM radio helped storm recovery efforts in North Carolina


How AM radio helped storm recovery efforts in North Carolina – CBS News

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After Hurricane Helene brought devastating flooding to North Carolina, internet and cell phone service were spotty at best. But many were able to coordinate relief efforts and get crucial information out over AM radio. Skyler Henry has the story.

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North Carolina Dems fight GOP power shift as lawsuit targets election boards

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North Carolina Dems fight GOP power shift as lawsuit targets election boards


Outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) and Gov.-elect Josh Stein (D-NC) filed an expanded lawsuit Monday to challenge a sweeping Republican-backed law that strips significant powers from the state’s incoming Democratic officeholders.

The move by the Democratic leaders escalates an ongoing legal battle over GOP efforts to reshape control of state agencies and boards ahead of next month’s transition.

The new legal action focuses on Senate Bill 382, which transfers the governor’s authority to appoint members of the State Board of Elections to the state auditor, a position set to be held by Republican Dave Boliek. Additionally, the law grants the auditor the power to appoint the leaders of all county election boards, further limiting gubernatorial influence.

Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) waves to supporters during an election night watch party for Democratic North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Grant Halverson)

“These blatantly partisan efforts to give control over election boards to a newly elected Republican will create distrust in our elections process and serve no legitimate purpose,” Cooper said in a statement.

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The lawsuit was originally filed by Democrats over Senate Bill 749, a bill blocked earlier this year that would have overhauled the state election board structure. With SB 382 now law, Cooper and Stein are seeking to amend the lawsuit to reflect the changes, which they argue are unconstitutional and undermine democratic principles.

“In recent years, these legislative leaders have repeatedly tried and failed to seize control of the State Board of Elections for their own partisan gain,” Stein said. “This latest move insults the voters who rejected their power grab and must not stand.”

SB 382’s provisions extend beyond election oversight. It prohibits the incoming attorney general, Democrat Jeff Jackson, from taking legal positions contrary to those of the Republican-led legislature. It also reallocates $227 million to a Hurricane Helene relief fund but does not specify how the money will be used, raising concerns about delayed aid to affected communities.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Republicans overrode Cooper’s veto of SB 382 earlier this month, using their supermajority in the state Senate. However, starting in 2025, they will lose their veto-proof majority in the House, creating a more challenging legislative landscape.

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The case now heads to Wake County Superior Court as the political fight over North Carolina’s balance of power intensifies.



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