Drug-Resistant Fungus Candida Auris Spreads Across the U.S.

A drug-resistant fungus known to cause life-threatening infections is spreading in parts of the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), clinical cases of Candida auris have been reported in at least 27 states this year.

A new map based on federal surveillance data reveals where the outbreak is most severe. Several states have reported hundreds of cases. As of July 25, more than 3,400 clinical Candida auris cases had been reported among U.S. residents, according to the CDC’s National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.

Health officials are monitoring the fungus closely. It can resist multiple antifungal medications and spreads easily in settings such as hospitals and nursing homes, which care for medically vulnerable patients.

While the risk to healthy individuals is low, experts warn that Candida auris can cause severe infections in patients with weakened immune systems or other underlying conditions. The CDC labels C. auris as an emerging public health threat. The number of cases has steadily risen in recent years as it becomes more prevalent in healthcare facilities.

What Is Candida Auris?

Candida auris is a yeast species that causes serious infections, which can sometimes be life-threatening. First identified in 2009, the fungus is a concern for public health officials because it often resists several antifungal drugs, complicating treatment efforts.

C. auris can lead to various illnesses, ranging from skin infections to invasive bloodstream infections, particularly severe for medically vulnerable individuals. It spreads easily in healthcare environments and can persist on surfaces and medical equipment for long periods, making it a significant public health threat.

How Common Is Candida Auris?

C. auris remains relatively rare among the general public, but documented cases have risen significantly in the U.S. over the past decade. The CDC reported 6,304 clinical cases nationwide in 2024, reflecting an ongoing upward trend since the fungus was first detected in the U.S. in 2013.

The CDC recorded 4,290 Candida auris cases in the U.S. in 2025. So far this year, there have been 3,437 cases across 27 states, with California having the most infections at 873, followed by Texas with 433.

Most infections occur in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and similar environments. While healthy individuals face a low risk, those with significant underlying health conditions are most affected.

How Is Candida Auris Contracted?

C. auris spreads primarily through contact with contaminated surfaces, medical equipment, or infected patients in healthcare settings. The fungus can survive on surfaces like bed rails and medical devices for weeks, facilitating patient-to-patient transmission if strict infection-control measures are not enforced.

Individuals at greatest risk include those who are seriously ill, have weakened immune systems, or require complex medical care. Patients using ventilators, feeding tubes, catheters, or other invasive devices are especially vulnerable, as the fungus can enter the body through these devices and cause invasive infections.

Many carriers of C. auris show no symptoms but can still spread the fungus, complicating control efforts in hospitals and nursing homes.