In 2026, Candida auris (C. auris), a potentially deadly, drug-resistant fungus, has been reported in 27 states, tallying up to 3,437 clinical cases according to provisional data from the CDC. California leads with 873 cases, making up nearly 25% of the total. Other states with significant numbers include Texas with 433 cases, Tennessee with 283, and Ohio with 279, among others.
What is Candida Auris?
Candida auris is a yeast species causing serious infections, primarily found in healthcare settings like hospitals and nursing homes. This highly transmissible fungus can survive on surfaces for extended periods, spreading easily through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects such as bedrails and medical equipment. Individuals may also carry the fungus without symptoms, a state known as colonization.
Health Implications
The health outcomes range from asymptomatic colonization to severe invasive infections, including life-threatening bloodstream infections. Those most at risk include patients with severe underlying conditions or frequent, prolonged hospitalizations, particularly if they use devices like breathing tubes, feeding tubes, or catheters.
Dr. Marc Siegel from NYU Langone points out that C. auris is an emerging problem due to its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs, making it especially problematic in hospitals. Common symptoms such as fever and aches can lead to misdiagnosis since they mimic other infections.
Challenges and Treatment
Invasive C. auris infections have high mortality rates, though determining the exact cause of death is complicated by patients’ pre-existing conditions. The fungus’s resistance to most antifungals, including fluconazole, and the growing resistance to all three major classes of antifungals, make treating it challenging. Echinocandins are the primary treatment available.
According to the CDC, C. auris is classified as an ‘urgent antimicrobial-resistance threat.’ Dr. Siegel emphasizes the need for ongoing research to develop new treatments and improve sterilization in healthcare facilities to manage this threat. Addressing antibiotic resistance more broadly is essential as the issue grows both in the U.S. and globally.