The drug-resistant fungus Candida auris continues to spread across the United States in 2026, with new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing confirmed cases in 23 states.
Health officials continue to monitor the fungus because some strains are resistant to multiple antifungal medications, making infections difficult to treat. Although the risk to healthy individuals remains low, Candida auris can pose a serious threat in healthcare settings where patients often have weakened immune systems or other underlying medical conditions.
Spread
Candida auris was first identified in the United States in 2016 and has expanded steadily over the past decade.
According to the CDC, nearly half of U.S. states have reported cases so far in 2026.
The fungus is considered a significant public health concern because it can spread within hospitals and long-term care facilities, where patients may already be vulnerable to infection.
States
The CDC data shows that Texas currently has the highest number of reported cases in 2026.
Michigan has also reported a large number of infections.
| State | Reported Cases (Mid-July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Texas | More than 700 |
| Michigan | 503 |
Cases have also been reported in 21 additional states, bringing the total number of affected states to 23.
Risk
Unlike many common fungal infections, Candida auris can survive on medical equipment and environmental surfaces for extended periods.
It may spread through:
- Catheters
- Breathing tubes
- Intravenous (IV) lines
- Contact with contaminated healthcare surfaces
- Close contact within healthcare facilities
Patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care centers face the greatest risk of infection.
Treatment
One of the biggest concerns surrounding Candida auris is its resistance to medication.
Some strains are resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, while rare strains have shown resistance to all major classes of antifungal treatments.
Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina, previously told Nexstar:
“If you get infected with this pathogen that’s resistant to any treatment, there’s no treatment we can give you to help combat it. You’re all on your own.”
Health experts note that treatment options depend on the specific strain and the patient’s overall condition.
Patients
A recent review examining Candida auris cases between 2022 and 2024 found several common trends.
| Finding | Observation |
|---|---|
| Age | About 88% of patients were over 45 |
| Gender | Most patients were men |
| Location | Majority were receiving acute healthcare |
These findings suggest that infections occur most frequently among patients who are already receiving medical care for other serious health conditions.
Mortality
According to previous CDC estimates, Candida auris infections can be associated with high mortality rates.
The agency has stated:
“Based on information from a limited number of patients, 30-60% of people with C. auris infections have died. However, many of these people had other serious illnesses that also increased their risk of death.”
Because many infected patients have significant underlying illnesses, experts caution that these figures should not be interpreted as the fungus being the sole cause of death in every case.
Prevention
Healthcare facilities continue to play a key role in limiting the spread of Candida auris.
Infection control measures include:
- Careful hand hygiene
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of patient rooms
- Screening high-risk patients
- Appropriate use of personal protective equipment
- Isolation precautions when necessary
These measures are designed to reduce transmission within hospitals and long-term care facilities.
As Candida auris continues to spread in parts of the United States, public health officials remain focused on surveillance, infection control, and early detection. While healthy individuals generally face a low risk, the fungus remains a significant concern in healthcare environments because of its ability to resist treatment and spread among medically vulnerable patients.
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