A hospital in Salem, Oregon, reported an outbreak of a rare fungal infection that has hospitalized at least three people in the state. The Oregon Health Authority confirmed three cases of Candida auris at Salem Hospital in Salem, the state’s capital city. The first was detected on Dec. 11, while the second was found on Dec. 23 and a third case was discovered on Dec. 27. “Two of the cases did not have international health care exposures, but had epidemiologic links to first case, indicating healthcare-associated spread of Candida auris to the second and third patients–identified Dec. 23 and Dec. 27, respectively,” said a bulletin from the state health agency. An investigation into the rare fungal outbreak is underway, officials said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also involved. “Candida auris is an emerging pathogen of concern because it can cause serious infections, particularly in those with serious …