Drug-Resistant Candida Auris Fungus Now Spreading in 23 States, CDC Reports
The CDC reports that more than 3,000 cases of Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungal infection, have been documented across 23 states in 2026. The pathogen spreads primarily in healthcare facilities and poses the greatest risk to patients with weakened immune systems.
A drug-resistant fungal infection called Candida auris is spreading through healthcare facilities in 23 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in August 2026.
More than 3,000 cases have been documented this year. Texas leads with 706 cases, followed by Michigan with 503 and Illinois with 366. Nationwide case counts have grown sharply in recent years, rising from 2,882 in 2022 to 6,197 in 2024.
Candida auris is a yeast that can enter the bloodstream and spread through the body. It is particularly dangerous for patients with diabetes, blood cancers, or weakened immune systems. Mortality rates for infected patients range from 30 to 60 percent, though those figures are complicated by the fact that many patients already have serious underlying conditions.
The fungus is not circulating in the general community. It spreads in hospitals and nursing homes through contaminated equipment and person-to-person contact. It can survive on surfaces for weeks.
The primary concern for health officials is the pathogen's resistance to antifungal medications. Some strains have developed resistance to all standard treatments, forcing doctors to use high doses of multiple drugs.
The CDC recommends that infected patients be placed in private rooms and that healthcare workers use gowns and gloves. Facilities are urged to invest in rapid identification technology and rigorous disinfection of high-touch surfaces.
Experts say the public does not need to panic, but people visiting hospitals or caring for family members with medical devices at home should practice good hand hygiene.
