MEMO: New Disease of Public Health Significance- Candida auris (C. auris)

TO: Health Care Professionals in the Niagara Region       

FROM:  Infectious Disease program, Niagara Region Public Health

REFERENCE: New Disease of Public Health Significance- Candida auris (C. auris)

DATE: January 23, 2025

The Ontario Ministry of Health designated Candida auris (C. auris) as a new Disease of Public Health Significance (DOPHS) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) effective January 1, 2025.

According to Public Health Ontario (2023), while the prevalence of Candida auris is low in Canada and Ontario, this emerging fungal pathogen:

• Has high potential for outbreaks in health care settings
• Is classified as multidrug-resistant
• Can withstand many common hospital disinfectants
• Is capable of causing invasive disease, especially in critically-ill individuals

Health Care Provider Action 

• Candida auris must be reported to the Medical Officer of Health by the next working day as per Ontario Regulation 135/18 and amendments of the Health Protection and Promotion Act
• To report a disease of public health significance, call the Infectious Disease Program:
  • 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7330
  • Emergency after-hours: 905-984-3690
• Communicate Candida auris diagnosis during transfers of care
• Review internal IPAC policies and procedures and update accordingly

More Information

• For current case definitions, please refer to the Infectious Disease Protocol for Candida auris
• Public Health Ontario
  • Candida auris resource page
  • Interim Guide for Infection Prevention and Control of Candida auris (2019)
  • Management of a Single New Case of Candida auris (2024) (algorithm)
  • Antibiotic Resistant Organism (ARO) Risk Factor-Based Screening Guidance for All Health Care Settings (2024) (screening checklist)