Candida Auris Drug-Resistant Fungus Spreads to 23 States With Over 3,000 Cases
The CDC reports that Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungal infection, has been confirmed in 23 states with more than 3,000 clinical cases recorded so far in 2026. Texas leads with 706 cases, followed by Michigan and Illinois. The fungus poses the greatest risk to patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Candida auris, a drug-resistant yeast, has been confirmed in 23 states with more than 3,000 clinical cases recorded as of July 18, 2026.
Texas has the highest case count at 706, followed by Michigan with 503 and Illinois with 366. The figures come from provisional weekly surveillance data and are subject to revision as state records are reconciled.
Candida auris is classified by the CDC as an urgent threat in healthcare settings. It is particularly dangerous because many strains resist fluconazole, and some have developed resistance to all three major classes of antifungal medications. The fungus can survive on surfaces like bed rails and medical equipment for weeks, often tolerating standard disinfectants.
The infection primarily affects patients who are already seriously ill or immunocompromised. High-risk groups include people with long-term feeding tubes, ventilators, or urinary catheters, as well as residents of skilled nursing facilities and long-term acute care hospitals.
Annual case counts have climbed steadily since the fungus was first identified in the United States in 2016. Reported cases reached 2,882 in 2022, 4,428 in 2023, and 6,197 in 2024. Public health experts note that the rate of increase has begun to slow.
For the general public, the risk of infection remains very low. Health officials say the concern is not community spread but infection control practices within healthcare institutions.
Recommended prevention measures for facilities include using disinfectants tested against Candida auris, enforcing strict hand hygiene, requiring gowns and gloves for contact with affected patients, and screening high-risk patients upon admission.
