A drug-resistant “superbug” fungus known as Candida auris continues to spread across the United States, now appearing in 23 states. According to the latest tracking data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of U.S. states have reported cases in 2026, totaling more than 3,000 cases so far this year. Texas leads with 706 cases, followed closely by Michigan with 503. Federal health officials have sounded the alarm over this rapid escalation, noting that case numbers have climbed dramatically over the past decade, surging from just 48 clinical cases in 2016 to more than 6,300 in 2024. Officials attribute this sharp rise to a combination of enhanced detection efforts and poor general infection prevention and control within healthcare facilities.
Candida auris is a dangerous yeast that can spread quickly in hospitals and nursing homes. It is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, making it incredibly difficult to treat and earning it the label of a “superbug.” While the fungus primarily threatens vulnerable individuals with serious underlying medical conditions who are navigating other health issues in healthcare settings—potentially causing severe infections and even death—most healthy people are not at risk and can recover on their own. As of July 18, 2026, cases have been documented in 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.
The fungus can infect different parts of the body, including the blood, wounds, and ears. Symptoms vary widely, though common signs identified by the Cleveland Clinic include fever, chills, lethargy, low blood pressure, high heart rate, low body temperature, and pain, pressure, or a feeling of fullness in the ear. Transmission occurs through contact with an infected person, even if that person is asymptomatic, or through contaminated surfaces and medical equipment in healthcare settings. It can also enter the body via medical devices such as central venous lines or breathing tubes. To combat further outbreaks, health experts emphasize that early detection, patient screening, enhanced lab capacity, quicker diagnostic tests, and strict adherence to proven infection control measures are essential.
