Most people have heard of bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics, but fewer know about Candida auris (C. auris)—a fungus that has become an increasing public health concern. Since it was first identified in 2009, C. auris has spread to healthcare facilities around the world and is now considered an urgent antimicrobial resistance threat by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Recent CDC surveillance shows that cases continue to be reported across the United States. During the week ending July 25, 2026, 35 new clinical cases were reported, bringing the year-to-date total to 3,437 clinical cases nationwide. Although this is lower than the same point in 2025, C. auris remains an important concern because it can spread in healthcare settings and is often resistant to multiple antifungal medications.
What Is Candida auris?
Candida auris is a type of yeast, or fungus, that can cause serious infections in people who are already very ill. Unlike the more common types of Candida that may cause conditions such as oral thrush or yeast infections, C. auris is much more difficult to treat and can spread from person to person in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
The fungus can infect the bloodstream, wounds, and other parts of the body. In some people, it may also live on the skin without causing illness. This is known as colonization. Even if someone is not sick, they can still carry the fungus and potentially spread it to others in healthcare settings.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Healthy people are not usually at risk for developing a C. auris infection.
According to the CDC, the people most likely to become infected are those who:
- Have been hospitalized for a long time.
- Live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.
- Have breathing tubes, feeding tubes, or central venous catheters.
- Have weakened immune systems.
- Have recently received antibiotics or antifungal medications.
Because these patients often have other serious medical conditions, C. auris infections can be difficult to treat and may lead to severe illness.
Why Is It Such a Concern?
One reason C. auris has received so much attention is its ability to resist many of the medications normally used to treat fungal infections.
Some strains are resistant to one or more classes of antifungal drugs, and in rare cases, strains have been identified that are resistant to all three major classes of antifungal medications. This can make treatment much more challenging than with other fungal infections.
Another concern is that C. auris can survive for long periods on surfaces such as bed rails, medical equipment, and other objects in healthcare facilities. Without careful infection control, it can spread between patients.
How Does It Spread?
Unlike many other fungal infections, C. auris spreads mainly through direct contact with an infected or colonized person or by touching contaminated surfaces and medical equipment.
The CDC recommends strict infection prevention measures in healthcare settings, including:
- Careful hand hygiene.
- Cleaning and disinfecting patient rooms and equipment.
- Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Screening patients who may have been exposed during outbreaks.
These measures help prevent the fungus from spreading to other vulnerable patients.
The Current Situation
The CDC continues to closely monitor C. auris through national surveillance programs. Cases have increased substantially over the past several years, making ongoing tracking an important part of controlling outbreaks.
According to the CDC’s latest weekly surveillance report, 3,437 clinical cases had been reported in the United States by the end of Week 29 of 2026. Public health officials continue working with hospitals, laboratories, and long-term care facilities to quickly identify cases and prevent further spread.
What This Means for You
Although Candida auris continues to spread in healthcare settings, the risk to the general public remains very low. Most healthy people will never develop a C. auris infection.
The greatest concern is protecting patients who are already medically vulnerable. Continued surveillance, rapid testing, strict infection control, and responsible use of antifungal medications remain the best tools for limiting the spread of this drug-resistant fungus.
Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Candida auris, Clinical Cases: Weekly Cases of Notifiable Diseases, United States, Week Ending July 25, 2026. Available from: https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/258473. Accessed August 17, 2026.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Candida auris (C. auris). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/candida-auris/about/index.html. Accessed August 17, 2026.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tracking Candida auris (C. auris). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/candida-auris/tracking-c-auris/index.html. Accessed August 17, 2026.
