CDC reports 3,437 Candida auris cases in 27 U.S. states

A dangerous, drug-resistant fungus continues to spread in U.S. healthcare facilities, with thousands of cases reported this year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of July 25, 2026, 3,437 clinical cases of Candida auris have been identified across 27 states, with California, Texas, Michigan, and Illinois reporting the highest numbers.

The nationwide total represents a decline from the approximately 4,290 cases reported during the same period in 2025. Public health officials note that while the number of cases has increased each year since the fungus was first detected in the United States in 2016, the rate of increase has slowed since 2022. The CDC has emphasized that an increasing number of cases does not necessarily mean the fungus is transmitting at a more rapid pace than usual.

Candida auris is a type of yeast that poses a severe threat to medically vulnerable populations. It primarily spreads in hospitals and long-term care facilities, surviving for extended periods on surfaces like bed rails and medical equipment. The fungus can be transmitted by both symptomatic patients and individuals who carry it on their skin without showing...