Deadly Fungus Found at Kensington Nursing Home

KENSINGTON, BROOKLYN — A deadly fungal virus has been discovered at a nursing home in Kensington, according to reports.

The virus, known as candida auris, can cause severe fatigue, fever, infections and even death. It's commonly found in hospital patients, particularly those with weak immune systems, and cannot always be treated by antifungal medications, according to the Center for Disease Control. The difficult-to-treat, drug-resistant virus can be spread via surfaces and physical contact between patients, according to the state's health department.

“They are the dark underbelly of drug-resistant infection," Dr. Tom Chiller told the New York Times of the virus.

As of August 16, there were 378 candida auris cases in New York State, the Department of Health says.

The Department of Health confirmed the potentially deadly fungus had been found at Palm Gardens Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, which is located at 615 Ave. C on Seventh Street in Kensington.

"The Department of Health has made controlling the spread of C. auris a top priority and has conducted extensive training and education on infection control policies and procedures," a spokesperson for the department told News 12 Brooklyn in a statement. "We take complaints regarding quality of care extremely seriously and ensure all appropriate steps are taken to protect the health and well-being of nursing home residents."

At least 38 patients have contracted the virus, the Times reported last week.

The nursing home has taken steps to make sure the virus doesn't spread to more people who live in the facility.

Anthony Hernandez, whose wife tested positive for the fungus last year, recalled to ABC7 that she had been put in quarantine at Palm Gardens Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. "I came in to see my wife, and they said, 'You can't go in there.' And I said, 'Why not?' They said, 'we got a quarantine,'" he said.