Candida Auris Cases Hit 3,437 in 27 States as Drug-Resistant Fungus Spreads

Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus, has infected 3,437 people across 27 US states as of July 25, 2026, according to CDC data released this week. Though this represents about 1,000 fewer cases than the same point last year, the fungus remains classified as an urgent public health threat. The infection spreads easily in healthcare facilities and poses severe risk to hospitalized patients, those with weakened immune systems, and nursing home residents.

Where the fungus is spreading fastest

California leads the nation with 873 clinical cases, followed by Texas with 433 cases and Tennessee with 283 cases as of July 25. Texas, however, has the highest total when screening cases are included, with 1,148 cases combined. Updated Texas numbers released August 6 showed 438 clinical cases and 743 screening cases in the state. The fungus has now been detected in Washington state as well, with 13 cases reported in 2026.

How Candida auris spreads and who is at risk

Candida auris spreads through contact with contaminated objects and people in healthcare settings. The fungus can survive on surfaces like doorknobs and bedrails for extended periods. According to Dr. Graham Snyder, medical director of infection prevention at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the fungus is particularly skilled at persisting in hospital environments and resisting standard cleaning products. Most healthy people face minimal risk, but those hospitalized, immunocompromised, or with medical devices like catheters or breathing tubes are at high risk for severe, life-threatening infections including bloodstream infections.

Why the fungus resists treatment

Multiple strains of Candida auris are resistant to antifungal medications. A CDC analysis of 8,033 samples from 2022 and 2023 found that more than 95 percent were resistant to fluconazole, a common antifungal drug. Some strains resist all three classes of antifungal medications used to treat fungal infections, making them extremely difficult to treat. The CDC characterizes C. auris as an urgent threat because of this multidrug resistance, though certain strains can be resistant to all three classes of available treatments.

Slowing growth but persistent threat

While 3,437 clinical cases through July 25 represent a decline from 4,290 cases at the same point in 2025, the rate of increase has slowed since 2022. The CDC notes that an increasing number of cases does not necessarily mean faster transmission, but rather reflects continued surveillance and detection. However, the current pace puts the US on track to reach 2025’s full-year total of 4,290 cases before year-end 2026. The fungus was first discovered in 1996 by Korean researchers and formally identified as a new species in Japan in 2009, with the first US case detected in 2016. The CDC says the rate of C. auris cases continue to rise each year, though the acceleration has moderated.

Final Thoughts

Candida auris remains a critical threat to vulnerable hospital patients despite slower growth this year. Healthcare facilities must maintain rigorous cleaning protocols and infection prevention measures, as the fungus’s multidrug resistance limits treatment options for those who contract severe infections.

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