CDC Guidance for Disinfecting Surfaces from Candida auris

Snigdha Vallabhaneni, MD, MPH, Medical Epidemiologist, Mycotic Diseases Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains CDC’s recommendations for disinfecting hospital surfaces from Candida auris.

Interview Transcript (slightly modified for readability)

“We’re in the early stages of learning about Candida auris and the latest CDC guidance is that, for disinfection of hospital surfaces, we are recommending a disinfectant that is active against [Clostridium] difficile.

So, the same thing that could be used for C. difficile should be used for cleaning up patient areas where there’s been a Candida auris case. That is generally sodium hypochlorite or bleach solutions. It’s really important that cleaning is thorough and supervised, so that it’s done correctly with the correct dilution of bleach, and the correct contact time so that we can really take care of the organism in the healthcare environment.”