Cases of a drug-resistant fungus, identified by the World Health Organization as one of the greatest threats to public health, have surged in U.S. hospitals, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Between 2022 and 2024, the number of clinical cases of Candida auris increased by approximately 50%, with cases rising from 2,882 in 2022 to 4,428 in 2023, a 54% surge. From 2023 to 2024, cases increased by 40%, from 4,428 to 6,197. During the same period, 27,853 screening cases were reported, where patients tested positive for the fungus but showed no active infection symptoms.
The CDC noted in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that cases in 2022 had already increased by 96% compared to 2021. This rise may be linked to strains on healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to shortages of supplies and personnel, as well as overcrowding. Patients requiring ventilators and complex medical equipment were also found to be more susceptible to colonization by Candida auris.
Candida auris is particularly concerning due to its resistance to many medications, making it difficult to treat and prone to spreading within healthcare facilities, where many patients have weakened immune systems. The fungus can infect various parts of the body, including the bloodstream, wounds, and ears. Symptoms can range from flu-like signs to severe reactions such as fever, chills, extreme tiredness, low blood pressure, and high heart rate, potentially leading to sepsis.
Sepsis, a life-threatening immune response, is responsible for a significant number of hospital deaths in the U.S. The CDC report indicated that approximately 30% of positive Candida auris samples were from blood infections. For bloodstream infections, the mortality rate for Candida auris is about 47%, and overall mortality ranges from 30% to 70%.
Geographically, from 2022 to 2024, detected cases were most prevalent in men over age 45. The highest concentration of cases was reported in the western U.S. (28.5%), followed by the Midwest (21.3%) and Southeast (20.2%). In 2024 specifically, California reported the most cases with 961, followed by Texas (719), Nevada (690), Illinois (577), and Florida (544). No cases were reported in Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Kansas, Maine, Rhode Island, Alaska, or Hawaii in 2024.
Health officials emphasized that the increase in Candida auris underscores ongoing transmission in healthcare settings and highlights the critical importance of infection prevention and control measures. Continued support from public health partners at federal, state, and local levels is deemed essential to prevent further spread of the fungus.