Thousands of Drug-Resistant Fungus Cases Reported Across U.S. States

Thousands of cases of a potentially deadly, drug-resistant fungus have emerged in 27 states this year, based on preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By the end of July, there were 3,437 clinical cases of Candida auris (C. auris) documented in the United States for 2026.

California reported the highest number of cases with 873, making up about a quarter of the national total. Other states with significant numbers include Texas (433), Tennessee (283), Ohio (279), Georgia (193), Louisiana (179), Illinois (171), Arizona (171), Michigan (146), Virginia (132), and Pennsylvania (121), as per CDC data.

The remaining affected states have less than 100 cases each. Candida auris is a yeast that leads to severe infections, mainly in healthcare environments like hospitals and nursing homes. This fungus persists on surfaces and is easily transmitted between patients through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, such as bedrails and medical equipment, according to the CDC.

C. auris can also spread from individuals who carry the fungus without showing symptoms, a state known as ‘colonization.’ The CDC clarifies that clinical cases refer to C. auris detected in samples collected during regular medical processes. These samples may sometimes indicate colonization instead of actual infection.

Candida auris infections range from symptomless colonization to deadly invasive infections, including those affecting the bloodstream.

Those at higher risk include patients with significant medical conditions, particularly those using breathing tubes, feeding tubes, IVs, or catheters. Patients hospitalized frequently or for extended periods are also more susceptible. Healthy individuals without risk factors rarely become infected or colonized with C. auris.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst at Fox News and faculty member at NYU Langone, labeled C. auris as an emerging concern. He noted its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs and tendency to spread in hospital settings, affecting patients on devices like ventilators and catheters. Symptoms often include fever, chills, and body aches, which can be mistaken for other infections, complicating diagnosis.

The mortality rate associated with invasive C. auris infections is between 30% and 72%, particularly among already critically ill patients. This makes it challenging to assess when the fungus directly causes death.

Candida auris’s resistance to antifungal treatments complicates its management. More than 90% of C. auris samples in the U.S. show resistance to fluconazole, a common antifungal medication. Echinocandins, a different group of antifungals, are the main therapy for C. auris, but some strains resist all primary antifungal classes.

Ongoing research aims to develop new treatments, said Dr. Siegel. He emphasized that this issue is part of a broader challenge of growing antibiotic resistance both in the U.S. and globally. Improved sterilization and disinfection in healthcare facilities can help mitigate the spread.

These findings highlight the importance of continued vigilance and innovation in combating antimicrobial resistance.