Thousands of clinical cases of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris (C. auris) have been reported across 27 U.S. states this year, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of the week ending July 25, 2026, a total of 3,437 clinical cases had been documented.
California accounts for 873 cases, representing approximately one-quarter of the national total. Texas follows with 433 cases, and other states with significant numbers include Tennessee (283), Ohio (279), Georgia (193), Louisiana (179), Illinois (171), Arizona (171), Michigan (146), Virginia (132), and Pennsylvania (121). The remaining states have reported fewer than 100 cases each.
Candida auris is a yeast that can cause serious infections, primarily in healthcare settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. The fungus is known for its ability to survive on surfaces for extended periods and is highly transmissible through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, including bedrails, doorknobs, and shared medical equipment. It can also spread through individuals who carry the fungus without showing symptoms, a condition known as colonization.
While clinical cases indicate the detection of C. auris in a specimen, they do not always represent an infection. Some specimens may reveal colonization rather than a true infection. The health effects of C. auris range from asymptomatic colonization to severe invasive infections, including bloodstream infections.
Patients with severe underlying medical conditions are most vulnerable to infection. This includes individuals who rely on breathing tubes, feeding tubes, IVs, or catheters, as well as those who are frequently or for long periods hospitalized. Individuals without these risk factors are unlikely to become colonized or develop an infection.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a Fox News senior medical analyst, described C. auris as an "emerging problem of great concern." He noted its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs and its tendency to spread within hospital environments, particularly on equipment used for immunocompromised patients. The fungus's symptoms, such as fever, chills, and aches, can be generic and easily mistaken for other infections.
Invasive C. auris infections have been associated with mortality rates between 30% and 72%, although many affected patients are already critically ill, making it challenging to determine the fungus's direct role in mortality. The CDC classifies Candida auris as an "urgent antimicrobial-resistance threat" due to its difficulty in treatment. More than 90% of U.S. samples are resistant to fluconazole, a common antifungal, and while echinocandins are a primary treatment, some strains exhibit resistance to all three main classes of antifungals.
Major research efforts are underway to develop new treatments, according to Siegel, who also highlighted that this is part of a broader global issue of emerging antibiotic resistance. He emphasized that enhanced sterilization and disinfection measures in hospitals can be very effective in combating its spread.