The Spread of Candida Auris: A Drug-Resistant Fungus in the U.S.

A drug-resistant fungus known as Candida auris is emerging as a significant health concern across various parts of the United States. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that clinical cases have been reported in at least 27 states this year. A new map, relying on federal surveillance data, highlights regions where the outbreak is particularly severe, with several states experiencing hundreds of cases.

According to the CDC’s National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, more than 3,400 clinical cases of Candida auris were reported among U.S. residents by July 25. Health officials are closely monitoring the fungus due to its resistance to multiple antifungal medications. Its prevalence in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings where vulnerable patients receive care is a concern.

Most healthy individuals face minimal risk from this fungus. However, experts emphasize that patients with weakened immune systems, those using invasive medical devices, or those with other underlying health conditions are at greater risk of severe infections. The CDC considers C. auris an ongoing public health threat, noting a steady increase in cases as the pathogen becomes established in healthcare facilities nationwide.

What Is Candida Auris?

Candida auris is an emerging yeast species capable of causing serious infections. First identified in 2009, its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs complicates treatment efforts. The fungus causes various illnesses, ranging from skin and wound infections to invasive bloodstream infections. It spreads easily in healthcare settings and can survive on surfaces and medical equipment for long periods, prompting the CDC to label it an urgent public health threat. The CDC collaborates with hospitals, nursing homes, and public health agencies to curtail its transmission.

How Common Is Candida Auris?

While C. auris remains relatively rare in the general population, documented cases in the United States have soared over the last decade. The CDC recorded 6,304 clinical cases nationwide in 2024, marking an increasing trend since its initial detection in the U.S. in 2013. Public health officials caution that the pathogen is expanding its presence and becoming entrenched in more healthcare facilities. In 2025, there were 4,290 reported cases, and this year, 3,437 cases across 27 states have been documented so far.

States with reported infections include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. California tops the list with 873 recorded infections this year, followed by Texas with 433 cases. Most infections occur in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings catering to medically fragile individuals. Experts highlight that healthy individuals generally face a low infection risk, and the spread is primarily among those with significant health issues.

How Is Candida Auris Contracted?

Candida auris spreads mainly through contact with contaminated surfaces, medical equipment, or infected and colonized patients within healthcare environments. The fungus can remain on bed rails, medical devices, and other surfaces for weeks, facilitating patient-to-patient transmission without robust infection-control protocols. Those at the greatest risk include the seriously ill, individuals with weakened immune systems, and patients requiring complex medical care. Patients with ventilators, feeding tubes, catheters, or other invasive devices are particularly vulnerable, as the fungus can invade the body through these devices, leading to invasive infections. Many individuals carrying C. auris may not exhibit symptoms but can still spread the fungus, posing challenges for containment in hospitals and nursing homes.

For further information on this subject, contact Newsweek editors Kate Nalepinski and Dave Siminoff.