Newly Reportable Disease: Candida auris (C. auris)

To: Ottawa Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
Date: January 30, 2025
From: Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Dear Colleagues,

We are writing to inform you that on January 1, 2025, Ontario’s Ministry of Health designated Candida auris (C. auris) a Disease of Public Health Significance. Per Ontario Regulation 569 under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, health care providers are required to report all suspect or confirmed cases of C. auris clinical infection to Ottawa Public Health (OPH). As a result, both OPH’s reporting form (PDF) and website have been updated and now replace previous versions.

C. auris is a fungal pathogen that is often multi-drug-resistant and is easily transmissible. It can infect any body part, including the blood or a wound, and readily spreads in healthcare settings. It can cause invasive disease with high mortality rates. Persistent C. auris outbreaks in hospitals have been documented. C. auris infections can be challenging to treat and are considered an emerging global health threat.

For information on this infection, testing, and reporting, please see:

• Reporting a communicable disease, Ottawa Public Health
• Candida auris: Public Health Ontario

How to report to Ottawa Public Health:
Individual cases are reportable by the following business day.

• Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm: Call 613-580-2424, extension 24224 and leave a detailed, confidential message including your contact information; or fax 613-580-9640.
• A reporting form (pdf - 90 KB) and a generic webform are available for your convenience.

Outbreaks:
Outbreaks will be declared according to the Infectious Disease Protocol for C. auris, with outbreak case definitions established for each outbreak.

If you suspect an outbreak in an institution, please contact the IPAC reporting line at 613-580-2424 x 26325 or email IPAC-PCI@ottawa.ca Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Additional Resources:

• Appendix 1: Case Definitions and Disease-Specific Information, Candida auris, Ontario Ministry of Health
• Candida auris Infection Prevention and Control in Canadian Healthcare Settings, Public Health Agency of Canada
• Management of a Single New Case of Candida auris (C. auris), Public Health Ontario
• Candida auris: Infectious substances pathogen safety data sheet - Canada.ca, Public Health Agency of Canada