A drug-resistant fungus, identified as an urgent antimicrobial resistance threat by health officials, has been found in almost two dozen states across the U.S. this year, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of the week ending July 25, 2026, the CDC reported Candida auris screenings in multiple states. Twenty-three states noted at least one case, with the fungus spreading throughout major U.S. regions.
What Is Candida Auris?
Candida auris is a yeast, a type of fungus, that in some instances leads to serious illness. Certain strains resist several drugs, making them tough to treat. Spread mainly occurs in hospitals or long-term care facilities. Individuals with healthy immune systems generally remain unaffected but can still transmit the fungus.
The first U.S. case was in 2016. Since then, its spread has been rapid, creating significant concern.
Where Is Candida Auris Spreading?
States reporting screenings in 2026 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. Arkansas and Montana reported screenings but no cumulative cases in the latest data.
Texas recorded 715 cases, the most reported, followed by 518 in Michigan, 379 in Illinois, and 218 in Ohio. Other states with over 100 cases include Nevada (166), New Jersey (166), Arizona (151), Maryland (184), and Virginia (119).
The CDC mentioned that weekly surveillance figures are provisional and could be revised with updates from state and local health departments.
Who Is Affected?
A CDC review of cases from 2022 to 2024 revealed that nearly 90% of clinical infections occurred in individuals aged 45 and older, mostly in acute healthcare environments where the fungus tends to spread.
Health officials stress that preventing fungus spread requires rapid detection, screening programs, and stringent infection-control measures in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
What Are the Symptoms of Candida Auris?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the symptoms of Candida auris depend on the infection site, but can include:
- Chills
- Extreme tiredness
- Fever
- Low blood pressure
- Low body temperature
- High heart rate
- Pain, pressure, or a full feeling in the ear
Infected individuals are often already seriously ill, so symptoms might be unnoticed. Many carriers don’t exhibit symptoms but can transmit the infection to others.
The fungus spreads through person-to-person contact and contaminated surfaces. In healthcare settings, it can spread via contaminated medical equipment or devices like catheters, IVs, and breathing tubes.
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