Wickerhamomyces anomalus Pseudo-Outbreak Associated with Medical Lubricating Gel, South Africa, 2023-2024.

A nationwide investigation identified 426 patients with Wickerhamomyces anomalus fungal cultures in South Africa; most cases clustered during May-November 2023. Case-patients lacked evidence of infection, indicating a pseudo-outbreak. Genomic and laboratory analyses implicated contaminated sterile lubricating gel. A nationwide product recall resulted in a decline in reported cases.