According to a report by the New York Times, one of the many ramifications of our response to the new coronavirus pandemic may well be the emergence of dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria and fungi.
The report notes that a number of different pathogens, considered highly dangerous, have re-emerged as hospitals tried their best to address the challenges of the pandemic. Of particular concern is the fungus candida auris, which has been described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a “global health threat.”
Candida auris is extremely difficult to detect and is very resistant to drugs. According to the report, there are now about 250 confirmed cases in Los Angeles County alone, while there had been only a “handful” before the pandemic.
Other pathogens noted to be emerging in the paper include the potentially fatal Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter, which the CDC is calling an “urgent health threat.”
The report notes that a number of factors may have contributed to the spread of these other drug-resistant pathogens.
First, in the early stages of the pandemic, a number of facilities were forced to reuse protective equipment that was in short supply at the time. Second, the laser-like focus on testing for COVID-19 has hindered the ability of healthcare providers to adequately test and screen these pathogens.
Third, the coronavirus pandemic has led to a surge in the use of ventilators, known collectors of dangerous pathogens, especially for long-term patients. And fourth, the strain on the medical system may have resulted in a malfunction in ‘infection control’ for pathogens such as C. auris, as medical personnel are focused on COVID-19 protocols to the exclusion of sanitary measures implemented to prevent the spread. stop the fungus in 2019.
Also, we may not yet know the extent of the spread of many of these pathogens as screening for them is virtually halted due to the emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.