Key Takeaways
- 3,437 clinical cases of Candida auris (C auris) have been documented in the US as of July 25, 2026.
- California accounts for roughly one-quarter of the country’s total cases, followed by Texas, Tennessee, and Ohio.
- C auris can cause serious infections, primarily in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings.
- The fungus can spread through contaminated surfaces, objects, and people who carry the fungus but do not show symptoms.
Candida auris is a type of yeast that can cause serious infections, primarily in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. As of the week ending July 25, a total of 3,437 clinical cases of Candida auris had been documented in the US, according to provisional CDC data.
The states with the highest numbers of cases include California, with 873 cases, Texas, with 433 cases, Tennessee, with 283 cases, Ohio, with 279 cases, and Georgia, with 193 cases. The remaining states have fewer than 100 cases each.
What is Candida Auris?
Candida auris is a type of yeast that can cause serious infections, primarily in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. The fungus can survive on surfaces for prolonged periods and is highly transmissible between patients through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
The fungus can spread through contaminated items such as bedrails, doorknobs, and shared medical equipment. It can also be spread by people who carry the fungus but do not show symptoms, known as "colonization."
Risk Factors and Health Effects
Those most at risk of infection include patients with severe underlying medical conditions, particularly those who use breathing tubes, feeding tubes, IVs, or catheters. The health effects of the fungus can range from colonization without symptoms to potentially deadly invasive infections, including bloodstream infections.
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone, considers C. auris an "emerging problem of great concern." He notes that the fungus is resistant to multiple antifungal medications and tends to spread in hospital settings, including on equipment used on immunocompromised patients.
Treatment and Prevention
Candida auris can be difficult to treat because it is often resistant to antifungal medications. The CDC has classified the fungus as an "urgent" threat, and more than 90% of US samples are resistant to fluconazole, a common antifungal treatment.
Echinocandins, another family of antifungals, are currently the main treatment option for C. auris, although some strains are resistant to all three main classes of antifungals. Research is ongoing to develop new treatments, according to Dr. Siegel.
Why This Matters
The spread of Candida auris across 27 states is a significant public health concern, particularly in hospitals and nursing homes where the fungus can spread quickly. It is essential to take measures to prevent the spread of the fungus, including proper sterilization and disinfection of surfaces and equipment, to protect vulnerable patients and prevent potentially deadly infections.