Candida auris has been detected across 23 U.S. states this year, raising concerns about drug resistance and infections among vulnerable hospital patients
Washington, D.C., 7 September 2026 – A potentially dangerous fungus is continuing to appear across the United States, drawing attention from health experts because of its ability to spread in healthcare settings and resist several commonly used antifungal medicines.
The fungus, known as Candida auris, or C. auris, has been detected in 23 states this year. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3,130 cases had been identified as of July 18. The number is broadly similar to the 3,348 cases recorded during the same period last year.
While the numbers may sound alarming, health experts stress that C. auris is not considered a major threat to most healthy people. The fungus primarily affects people who are already seriously ill, particularly those receiving care in hospitals or nursing facilities.
C.auris is a type of yeast that can cause infections ranging from skin problems to serious bloodstream infections. In vulnerable patients, an invasive infection can become life-threatening. People with weakened immune systems and those who have medical devices such as catheters, feeding tubes, or breathing tubes are among those at greater risk.
One reason C. auris has attracted particular attention is its ability to survive on surfaces for extended periods. It can be found on objects and equipment in healthcare environments, including bedrails and other frequently touched surfaces. Patients who carry the fungus without showing symptoms can also contribute to its spread.
Another challenge is antifungal resistance. Some strains of C. auris can withstand medicines commonly used to treat fungal infections. A CDC analysis of more than 8,000 samples collected in 2022 and 2023 found that more than 95 percent were resistant to fluconazole, one of the commonly used antifungal medicines. Resistance to other antifungal drugs was less common, but some samples showed resistance to multiple treatment options.
Despite these concerns, the latest numbers do not necessarily mean that C. auris is spreading faster than before. The CDC says cases have continued to rise over the years, although the rate of increase has slowed since 2022. In 2024, more than 6,300 clinical cases were reported in the United States.
For healthcare facilities, early detection remains an important part of controlling the fungus. Screening people at risk, following strict infection prevention practices, and maintaining careful cleaning procedures can help reduce transmission.
For the general public, there is no reason for widespread alarm. Most healthy people are unlikely to develop a C. auris infection. The greater concern remains patients whose health is already compromised and who spend extended periods in healthcare settings.
The emergence of C. auris also highlights a broader challenge in modern healthcare. As some fungi become resistant to existing medicines, doctors and researchers need better testing methods, stronger infection control, and new antifungal treatments.
Fungal diseases already contribute to thousands of deaths and hospitalizations each year in the United States. Improving awareness and early diagnosis can help healthcare professionals respond more effectively to serious fungal infections.
C.auris may be invisible to the naked eye, but its impact can be significant for those most at risk. For hospitals and healthcare workers, careful hygiene, rapid detection, and infection prevention remain essential tools in keeping this emerging fungal threat under control.