Drug-Resistant Fungus Candida Auris Detected in Numerous U.S. States

A drug-resistant fungus classified as an “urgent antimicrobial resistance (AR) threat” by health officials has emerged in nearly two dozen states this year. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the spread of Candida auris, with screenings reported across multiple states as of the week ending July 25, 2026.

Current Spread of Candida Auris

In 2026, at least one case has been reported in 23 states, spanning all major U.S. regions. Texas leads with 715 cases, followed by Michigan with 518, and Illinois reporting 379. Other states with significant numbers include Ohio (218), Nevada (166), New Jersey (166), Arizona (151), Maryland (184), and Virginia (119). The CDC’s findings remain provisional, subject to updates from state and local health departments. Arkansas and Montana have screened cases but reported no cumulative infections in the recent data.

Understanding Candida Auris

Candida auris is a yeast, a type of fungus, known to cause serious illness, especially when strains resist multiple drugs. Often found in hospitals and long-term care facilities, the fungus primarily affects individuals with compromised immune systems, who can unknowingly transmit the fungus.

First identified in the U.S. in 2016, the fungus has spread rapidly. A CDC review of cases from 2022 to 2024 found that nearly 90% of infections occurred in patients aged 45 and older, predominantly in acute healthcare settings where the fungus thrives.

Preventing the Spread

Health officials stress rapid detection, effective screening programs, and stringent infection-control measures in healthcare settings to curb the fungus’s spread.

Symptoms of Candida Auris

The symptoms of a Candida auris infection depend on the infected body area. Potential symptoms include:

• Chills
• Extreme tiredness
• Fever
• Low blood pressure
• Low body temperature
• High heart rate
• Pain, pressure, or fullness in the ear

Many patients already have serious illnesses, which may mask these symptoms. Others may carry the fungus asymptomatically but can still transmit it to others.

Transmission occurs through person-to-person contact, contaminated surfaces, and medical equipment like catheters, IVs, and breathing tubes in healthcare environments.