A potentially deadly, drug-resistant fungus called Candida auris (C. auris) has spread across 27 states in the US, with 3,437 clinical cases reported so far in 2026. California has the most cases, with 873 reported, followed by Texas with 433 cases.

C. auris is a type of yeast that can cause serious infections, primarily in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. It can survive on surfaces for prolonged periods and is highly transmissible between patients through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

The fungus can also be spread by people who carry it but do not show symptoms, known as colonization. Clinical cases do not necessarily represent infections, as some clinical specimens can come from sites where the presence of C. auris may represent colonization rather than a true infection.

Risk Factors and Health Effects

Those most at risk of infection include patients with severe underlying medical conditions, particularly those who use breathing tubes, feeding tubes, IVs, or catheters. People without these risk factors are unlikely to become colonized with C. auris or develop an infection.

The health effects of the fungus can range from colonization without symptoms to potentially deadly invasive infections, including bloodstream infections. Invasive C. auris infections have been associated with mortality rates of 30% to 72%, although most affected patients are already seriously ill.

C. auris can be difficult to treat because it is often resistant to antifungal medications, leading the CDC to classify the fungus as an urgent antimicrobial-resistance threat. More than 90% of US samples are resistant to fluconazole, a common antifungal treatment.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.