Drug-Resistant Fungus Candida Auris Spreads to 23 States; 3,130 Cases Reported

A drug-resistant fungus called Candida auris has been detected in 23 states, with 3,130 cases reported as of July 18, 2026, according to CDC data released August 5. Texas leads the nation with 706 cases, followed by Michigan with 503 and Illinois with 366. The fungus spreads easily in hospitals and nursing homes, particularly among patients with serious medical conditions or weakened immune systems. Most healthy people face minimal risk, but the fungus resists multiple antifungal drugs, making infections difficult to treat.

Where the outbreak is concentrated

Texas has recorded the most cases with 706 as of mid-July, followed by Michigan with 503 and Illinois with 366. Tennessee reported 283 cases through July 25, a sharp increase from just 10 cases during the same period last year. California recorded 873 cases earlier in the year. New Jersey identified 3,652 total cases since 2015, including 812 clinical cases and 2,840 screening cases as of July 1. Ohio reported 271 cases, with Cuyahoga and Hamilton counties recording the highest numbers at 56 and 33 cases respectively.

Who is most at risk

Candida auris primarily threatens patients in healthcare settings with serious underlying medical conditions. Nursing home patients and hospital patients with medical devices like catheters, breathing tubes, or intravenous lines face the highest risk. People with weakened immune systems or immunocompromised conditions can develop hard-to-treat infections. Most healthy people do not need to worry about C. auris infections, according to health officials. The fungus can live on surfaces like doorknobs and bedrails for long periods and spread to vulnerable patients.

Drug resistance makes treatment difficult

A CDC analysis of 8,033 samples from 2022 and 2023 found more than 95% were resistant to fluconazole, 15% resistant to amphotericin B, 1% resistant to echinocandins, and fewer than 1% resistant to all three drug classes. Most infections can be treated with echinocandins, but the fungus’s multidrug resistance makes it a “superbug.” The fungus was first discovered in 1996 and formally identified as a new species in Japan in 2009. It arrived in the United States in 2016.

Slowing growth rate offers some relief

While C. auris cases continue to rise annually, the rate of increase has slowed since 2022, according to the CDC. As of July 18, 2026, the nation had 3,130 cases, roughly in line with 3,348 cases detected by the same point in 2025. The CDC notes that an increasing number of cases does not necessarily mean the fungus is transmitting faster than usual. Studies are limited, but the estimated mortality rate of C. auris ranges from 30% to 60%, though many patients had other serious illnesses. New Jersey surveillance data show cases have risen sharply in recent years, increasing from 415 in 2023 to 740 in 2024 and 838 in 2025.

Final Thoughts

Candida auris remains a serious threat in U.S. healthcare settings, but the slowing growth rate suggests containment efforts are working. Healthy people face minimal risk. Hospitals and nursing homes must maintain strict infection control to protect vulnerable patients.

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