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Ministry of Health News

Update regarding Candida auris (C. auris)

Effective January 1, 2025, Candida auris (C. auris) is a newly designated Disease of Public Health Significance (DoPHS) and is reportable to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH).

What does this mean for dentists?

Dentists have a role in infection prevention and control and can help identify and prevent the spread of C. Auris by familiarizing themselves with the clinical presentation of this fungal pathogen.

  • C. auris can cause a range of infections, from wound and ear infections to bloodstream infections (candidemia). It is also capable of causing severe infections that can lead to sepsis, particularly in critically ill patients. Symptoms are often nonspecific and may include fever, chills and general malaise.These symptoms can resemble other common infections, which, combined with C. auris’s resistance profile, complicates prompt diagnosis and treatment. C. auris is able to colonize a person without causing symptoms, yet still pose a transmission risk within healthcare facilities. See Candida Auris Case Definition and Disease Specific Information 2025.
  • Confirmed cases of C. auris must be reported to your local Public Health Unit. The definition of a confirmed case means that there was laboratory confirmation of C. auris by an accredited microbiology laboratory. Only clinical infections are considered confirmed cases of C. auris.
  • According to the College’s IPAC Standard, screenings should be performed. Reschedule non-urgent appointments if patients show signs of illness, and isolate urgent cases to minimize transmission.

More information

C. auris can cause a range of infections, and its symptoms are often non-specific, with limited treatment options available. More information about C. auris is available here: 

Although the prevalence of C. auris in Ontario is currently low, the emergence of multidrug resistant organisms within Canadian healthcare facilities necessitates an integrated approach to surveillance and infection control across the health care sector.

Please review the updated list of diseases of public health significance.

Questions?

You can email practiceadvisory@rcdso.org or call 416-961-6555 or toll-free 1-800-565-4591.