NewsFox 13 News (WTVT) — All NewsJuly 30, 2026Hillsborough
New CDC Study on Invasive Mold Infections
A new CDC study indicates that invasive mold infections in hospitals may be more common than previously tracked. Researchers found that hospitals can expect 3 to 5 cases per year for every 100 inpatient beds, noting that these infections are particularly dangerous for individuals with weakened immune systems.
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This study provides hospital administrators with a new baseline to identify potential mold infection outbreaks, as these illnesses are not currently required to be reported to the government.
Key Facts
- Researchers identified approximately 450 cases of invasive mold disease in Atlanta-area hospitals over a five-year period (2020-2024).
- Approximately one-third of the patients identified in the study died while in the hospital.
- Hospitals can expect to see 3 to 5 cases of invasive mold disease per year for every 100 inpatient beds.
- Infection rates were found to be higher at larger academic hospitals.
- The CDC does not currently require doctors to report invasive mold illnesses.
- Most patients affected had impaired immune systems or were weakened by prior COVID-19 infections.
- Invasive mold is typically contracted by inhaling spores, though it can also enter through wounds or contaminated medical equipment.
- Researchers initially screened nearly 1,000 potential cases before narrowing the count to 450 confirmed cases.
- Previous CDC estimates suggested more than 15,000 hospitalizations annually could be linked to invasive mold disease.
- Climate change-related natural disasters like hurricanes and floods are identified as factors that may increase mold exposure.