Dangerous drug-resistant fungus spreads across US, reaching 27 states

Thousands of cases of a potentially deadly, drug-resistant fungus have been reported across 27 states so far this year, according to provisional CDC data.

As of the week ending July 25, a total of 3,437 clinical cases of Candida auris (C. auris) had been documented in the U.S. so far in 2026.

California accounts for 873 cases — roughly one-quarter of the country’s total.

Other states with high numbers include Texas (433), Tennessee (283), Ohio (279), Georgia (193), Louisiana (179), Illinois (171), Arizona (171), Michigan (146), Virginia (132) and Pennsylvania (121), per the CDC.

EXPERTS REVEAL HOW TO AVOID DEADLY LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE AS NYC OUTBREAK KILLS 5 The remaining states have fewer than 100 cases each.

Candida auris is a type of yeast that can cause serious infections, primarily in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare settings .

The fungus, which can survive on surfaces for prolonged periods, is "highly transmissible between patients through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects," the CDC states.

It can spread through contaminated items such as bedrails, doorknobs and shared medical equipment.

C. auris can also be spread by people who carry the fungus but do not show symptoms, known as "colonization." Clinical cases do not necessarily represent infections.

The CDC defines a clinical case as detection of C. auris in a specimen collected during the normal course of medical care .

Some clinical specimens can come from sites where the presence of C. auris may represent colonization rather than a true infection.

The health effects of the fungus can range from colonization without symptoms to potentially deadly invasive infections, including bloodstream infections.

Those most at risk of infection include patients with severe underlying medical conditions.

In particular, those who use breathing tubes, feeding tubes, IVs or catheters are more vulnerable, as are those who are hospitalized frequently or for long periods of time.