# Candida auris in US Correctional Facilities

## TL;DR

This paper reports on 13 cases of Candida auris in US correctional facilities and highlights challenges in managing and preventing its spread in such settings.

## Contribution

The study provides the first detailed account of C. auris cases in correctional facilities and identifies setting-specific management challenges.

## Key findings

- C. auris cases in correctional facilities are rare but can occur, especially in individuals with known risk factors.
- Correctional facilities face unique challenges in managing C. auris cases depending on housing arrangements.
- Public health measures must be adapted to address the specific needs of correctional environments.

## Abstract

Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen that typically affects patients in healthcare settings. Data on C. auris cases in correctional facilities are limited but are needed to guide public health recommendations. We describe cases and challenges of providing care for 13 patients who were transferred to correctional facilities during January 2020–December 2022 after having a positive C. auris specimen. All patients had positive specimens identified while receiving inpatient care at healthcare facilities in geographic areas with high C. auris prevalence. Correctional facilities reported challenges managing patients and implementing prevention measures; those challenges varied by whether patients were housed in prison medical units or general population units. Although rarely reported, C. auris cases in persons who are incarcerated may occur, particularly in persons with known risk factors. Measures to manage cases and prevent C. auris spread in correctional facilities should address setting-specific challenges in healthcare and nonhealthcare correctional environments.