Thousands of cases of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris have been reported in 27 states this year. Provisional data from the CDC indicates 3,437 clinical cases were documented in the U.S. by the week ending July 25, 2026.
California leads with 873 cases, accounting for about a quarter of the nation’s total. Other states with high numbers include Texas with 433 cases, Tennessee with 283, Ohio with 279, Georgia with 193, Louisiana with 179, Illinois with 171, Arizona with 171, Michigan with 146, Virginia with 132, and Pennsylvania with 121.
Candida auris is a yeast causing infections mainly in healthcare settings like hospitals and nursing homes. It can survive on surfaces for extended periods and spreads between patients through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, including bedrails and doorknobs, as reported by the CDC.
C. auris can also spread through individuals who carry the fungus but don’t exhibit symptoms, known as ‘colonization.’ Clinical cases may represent colonization, not always infection.
Health impacts range from colonization without symptoms to severe invasive infections like bloodstream infections. Risk is higher for patients with severe medical conditions, particularly those using breathing tubes, feeding tubes, IVs, or catheters, and those frequently hospitalized or for long durations.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News senior medical analyst and NYU Langone clinical professor, described C. auris as a concerning emerging problem.
Most invasive C. auris infections result in mortality rates between 30% and 72%, although determining direct causation is challenging due to patients’ preexisting serious illnesses. The fungus is resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, classified by CDC as an ‘urgent antimicrobial-resistance threat.’
Over 90% of U.S. samples resist fluconazole, a common antifungal medication. Current treatment primarily involves echinocandins, although some strains show resistance to all three main antifungal classes.
Ongoing research aims to develop new treatments. Disinfection and sterilization measures in hospitals are valuable in addressing broader antibiotic resistance challenges, Dr. Siegel cautioned.
Melissa Rudy contributed to this reporting as a senior health editor at Fox News Digital.
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