Drug-Resistant Fungus Candida Auris: Over 3,000 Cases Confirmed Across 23 States, CDC Warns
Federal health officials raise a red flag as a perilous drug-resistant fungal infection, Candida auris (C. auris), accelerates across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discloses that the infection has crossed a grim milestone with over 3,000 confirmed cases in at least 23 states as of 2026.
Texas tops the list with a staggering 706 known cases as of mid-July, closely followed by Michigan with 503 cases and Illinois with 366. First reported in the U.S. in 2016, the fungus has proliferated at an alarming rate. Some strains have now become resistant to all three major classes of antifungal medications, earning it the CDC’s “urgent antimicrobial resistance threat” label.
The spread of C. auris is most prevalent in healthcare facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes. Here, it can survive on surfaces for extended periods and infect susceptible patients through catheters, breathing tubes, or IVs. A 2026 review revealed that approximately 88% of clinical cases occurred in individuals over the age of 45. However, experts underline that the risk to healthy members of the general public remains low.
Health professionals advocate for strict hand hygiene, proper use of gowns and gloves during patient care, thorough disinfection of rooms and shared equipment, and transparent communication when transferring affected patients between facilities. Visitors to healthcare settings are also advised to maintain good hand hygiene at all times.
Source: Healthline – Drug-Resistant ‘Superbug’ Confirmed in 23 States (August 4, 2026)