Candida auris cases top 3,437 across 27 US states, CDC data shows

Key Points:

• As of late July 2026, the CDC has reported 3,437 clinical cases of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris across 27 U.S. states, with California accounting for about one-quarter of cases.
• Candida auris is highly transmissible in healthcare settings, spreading through contaminated surfaces and equipment, and can cause serious infections, especially in patients with severe medical conditions or who use medical devices like ventilators and catheters.
• The fungus is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, with over 90% of U.S. samples resistant to fluconazole, making treatment challenging and leading the CDC to classify it as an urgent antimicrobial-resistance threat.
• Invasive infections from Candida auris have high mortality rates, ranging from 30% to 72%, primarily affecting already seriously ill patients, and it can be difficult to distinguish from other infections due to common symptoms like fever and chills.
• Experts emphasize the importance of hospital sterilization and disinfection measures to control the spread and note ongoing research efforts to develop new antifungal treatments amid the broader issue of rising antimicrobial resistance.