Candida Auris: The Drug-Resistant Superbug Fungus Surging Across the US

A silent, often deadly threat is spreading through American hospitals and long-term care facilities at an alarming rate. Candida auris (C. auris), a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, has been deemed an “urgent” antimicrobial resistance threat by the CDC. Unlike common yeast infections, this superbug can cause severe bloodstream infections, wound infections, and ear infections, with mortality rates estimated between 30% and 60%. Its stealthy ability to colonize patients without symptoms and survive for weeks on surfaces makes it a nightmare for infection control.

The data is stark and points to a rapid, nationwide escalation. From just a handful of cases when it was first identified in the US in 2016, clinical infections have exploded, doubling and tripling in recent years. This isn’t a future worry—it’s a present and growing public health crisis affecting our most vulnerable populations in healthcare settings right now.

Understanding the Candida Auris Threat

Candida auris is a type of yeast, but it behaves more like a bacterial superbug. Its danger stems from a combination of three critical factors: drug resistance, easy transmission, and difficult identification. It is often resistant to all three major classes of antifungal drugs, leaving few treatment options. It spreads easily in healthcare environments through contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment, and from person to person. Compounding the problem, standard lab tests can misidentify it, leading to delays in implementing proper isolation protocols.

How C. Auris Spreads and Why It’s So Dangerous

The fungus thrives in healthcare settings because it preys on individuals with weakened immune systems, those with invasive medical devices like breathing tubes or catheters, and people who have received long courses of antibiotics or antifungals. A key feature that fuels outbreaks is colonization. A patient can carry the fungus on their skin or other body sites without ever showing symptoms, silently shedding it onto bed rails, curtains, and other surfaces, where it can survive for weeks.

“CDC has deemed C. auris as an urgent antimicrobial resistance threat, because it is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, spreads easily in healthcare facilities, and can cause severe infections with high mortality rates,” states the agency.

This means infection prevention isn’t just about isolating sick patients; it requires proactive screening of at-risk individuals to identify silent carriers and prevent them from unknowingly spreading the fungus.

The Alarming Rise: US Case Data & Hotspots

The national tracking data reveals a steep and concerning upward trajectory. The CDC’s most recent full-year data shows a dramatic increase, with state-level reports for 2024 and 2025 confirming the trend is accelerating.

These numbers represent only clinical cases—where the fungus is causing an active infection. The number of colonization cases (people carrying the fungus without illness) is likely significantly higher, creating a large reservoir for further spread. States like New York, Illinois, California, and Florida have reported the highest burdens, but C. auris has now been detected in over half of all U.S. states.

Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities

Stopping the spread of C. auris requires rigorous, standardized infection control measures. The CDC emphasizes a multi-pronged approach that focuses on early detection and strict isolation protocols.

1. Screening & Early Detection: Identifying colonized patients through skin swab tests upon admission or transfer from high-prevalence areas or facilities.
2. Isolation & Contact Precautions: Placing infected or colonized patients in single rooms. Healthcare workers must use gowns and gloves for all contact.
3. Meticulous Environmental Cleaning: Daily and terminal cleaning of patient rooms with an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against C. auris.
4. Communication: Alerting receiving facilities when a patient known to be colonized or infected with C. auris is transferred.

For the public, the risk outside of healthcare settings remains very low. Good hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water is always recommended, especially when visiting healthcare facilities.

Common Questions (FAQ)

What are the symptoms of a Candida auris infection?

Symptoms are often non-specific and similar to other infections, including fever and chills that do not improve after antibiotic treatment. Since it typically affects already very sick patients, it can be hard to distinguish. Diagnosis requires a laboratory culture of blood or other bodily fluid.

Can healthy people get Candida auris?

Healthy individuals with strong immune systems are at very low risk of becoming infected. The primary at-risk groups are patients in hospitals and nursing homes who have serious medical conditions, indwelling devices, or have received broad-spectrum antibiotics or antifungals.

How is Candida auris treated?

Treatment is challenging due to frequent multidrug resistance. Infected patients require antifungal medication, but some strains are resistant to all three primary drug classes. In these cases, high-dose combination therapy may be used. A laboratory test can determine which antifungals, if any, will be effective.

What should I do if I’m concerned about exposure in a healthcare facility?

Practice excellent hand hygiene before and after touching a patient or surfaces in a healthcare room. Don’t be afraid to ask healthcare providers if they have washed their hands. If you have a loved one in a facility diagnosed with or exposed to C. auris, follow all visitor guidelines from the infection prevention team regarding gowns, gloves, and isolation protocols.