Biochemistry expert explains what you need to know about Candida auris

New Zealand has reported the detection of a deadly fungal infection that is resistant to conventional treatments.

The infection, known as Candida auris, has been found to be fatal for approximately one-third of all infected patients, particularly those with weak immune systems.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed a single case of the infection in the country.

While healthy individuals are not at risk of contracting Candida auris, those with severely compromised immune systems are at risk of potentially fatal consequences.

Candida auris was first identified in Japan in 2009 and has since spread to multiple countries worldwide, including the United States, India, and the United Kingdom.

On Monday, Tova O'Brien spoke to Professor Kurt Krause, a biochemistry expert at Otago University. O'Brien asked Krause if this New Zealand case was inevitable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.