24/7 Emergency & General Advisory
🚨 24/7 Medical Emergency
Non-Emergency Advisory
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Mon–Sat
For appointments & general queries.
Join our healthcare community
Stay updated with our latest healthcare news and your appointments.
Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungal infection, has now been reported in 23 U.S. states in 2026, according to CDC surveillance data. The fungus spreads mainly in hospitals and nursing homes, and it mostly threatens people who are already seriously ill. This article explains what Candida auris is,
Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus the CDC calls an "urgent antimicrobial resistance threat," has been confirmed in 23 U.S. states in 2026. Provisional CDC surveillance data shows more than 3,000 clinical cases reported so far this year, with Texas, Michigan, and Illinois reporting the highest totals. Most infections occur in hospitals and long-term care facilities, and healthy people outside those settings face very low risk.
Candida auris is a type of yeast, a category of fungus. It was first identified in a patient's ear canal in Japan in 2009, and has since spread to healthcare facilities across the globe. Unlike more familiar yeast infections, such as those caused by Candida albicans, C. auris behaves more like a bacterium in how easily it spreads between people and how long it survives on surfaces.
The fungus is concerning for two main reasons. First, some strains are resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, which makes treatment difficult. Second, it can colonize a person's skin without causing any symptoms, meaning someone can carry and spread it without knowing.
[REVIEWER: add clinical insight here — for example, how C. auris colonization is typically detected in practice, or what makes it harder to treat than other Candida species]
According to CDC surveillance data, 23 states reported at least one C. auris case in 2026 as of late July. States with confirmed cases span every major U.S. region and include Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Texas has reported the largest number of cases this year, followed by Michigan and Illinois. Ohio, Nevada, New Jersey, Arizona, Maryland, and Virginia have also reported triple-digit case counts.
It's worth noting that these figures are provisional and change weekly as states continue to report. Some news outlets have cited slightly higher state counts (25–27) using more recent CDC data pulls, which underscores how quickly this picture is shifting. For the most current numbers, the CDC's official tracking page is the most reliable source.
Nationally, the trend has been climbing for years. The CDC's most recent finalized annual total showed 6,304 clinical cases in 2024, up from just 48 cases when C. auris was first reported in the U.S. in 2016. The rate of increase has slowed somewhat since 2022, but cases continue to rise every year.
This is not a general public health emergency for healthy people. The CDC states that people without healthcare-related risk factors generally do not become infected or colonized with C. auris.
The people at real risk are concentrated in specific settings:
Patients in intensive care units, especially those on ventilators
People with central venous catheters, urinary catheters, or feeding tubes
Residents of long-term acute care hospitals and skilled nursing facilities
Patients who have had recent, prolonged hospital stays
If you have a family member in one of these situations, the relevant question isn't about your own exposure risk — it's about the facility's infection control practices.
C. auris spreads primarily through:
Contact with contaminated surfaces or medical equipment
Direct contact with a colonized or infected patient
Transfer via the hands of healthcare workers or caregivers
The fungus can persist on surfaces and skin for extended periods, which is part of why it spreads so effectively within healthcare facilities even when general hygiene practices are in place.
C. auris infections don't have symptoms that are unique to the fungus itself. Signs depend on which part of the body is affected — bloodstream infections can cause fever and chills that don't improve with standard antibiotics, for instance. Because symptoms overlap with other infections, diagnosis typically requires a laboratory culture or specialized testing, not just a physical exam.
[REVIEWER: add clinical insight here — for example, how clinicians typically first suspect C. auris in a patient who isn't responding to standard antibiotic treatment]
The CDC recommends several measures for healthcare facilities to limit spread:
Screening high-risk patients for colonization, even without symptoms
Frequent hand hygiene with alcohol-based sanitizer
Thorough cleaning and disinfection of patient rooms and shared equipment
Isolating colonized or infected patients from other at-risk patients
Facilities that implement these steps early — ideally at first detection — have had more success containing outbreaks than those that respond after transmission is already underway.
C. auris infections are treated with antifungal medications, though treatment can be complicated because some strains resist one or more drug classes typically used against Candida species. Treatment decisions depend on the specific strain, its resistance profile, and the patient's overall health, which is why they should always be made by a treating physician rather than through general guidance. Anyone concerned about symptoms or exposure should talk to a doctor rather than attempt self-diagnosis.
Is Candida auris dangerous to the general public? For most healthy people, the risk is low. C. auris mainly affects patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities who already have serious underlying health conditions or invasive medical devices.
How many states have reported Candida auris cases in 2026? CDC surveillance data shows 23 states reported at least one case as of late July 2026, with totals updated weekly as more states report.
Can Candida auris be cured? Many infections can be treated with antifungal medication, but some strains resist multiple drug classes, which can make treatment more difficult. A doctor determines the right approach based on lab testing.
How does Candida auris spread between people? It spreads mainly through contact with contaminated surfaces, medical equipment, or the hands of caregivers, and through direct contact with a colonized or infected person.
Which states have the most Candida auris cases? As of mid-to-late July 2026, Texas, Michigan, and Illinois reported the highest case counts, according to CDC data.
This article must be reviewed and attributed to a named, qualified medical reviewer before publishing.
5. Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Tracking C. auris" — cdc.gov/candida-auris/tracking-c-auris
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "About Candida auris" and Screening guidance pages
CDC provisional 2026 surveillance data, as reported by Newsweek (July 2026)
CDC provisional 2026 surveillance data, as reported by Medical Daily (July 2026)
Visit Hospital
Near You
A sexual health specialist treats more than you'd think. Here's what they actually do, when to book one, and how to find someone you trust.
August 19, 2026
Find a family doctor in Asansol for common illnesses, routine care, diabetes, BP, infections and guidance on specialist referrals.
August 18, 2026
The White House is reportedly drafting an executive order addressing childhood vaccines and autism, following months of pressure from President Trump on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As of early August 2026, the order hasn't been signed and its exact contents remain unclear.
August 10, 2026