STATE
Deadly ‘superbug’ fungus spreads to 23 states. Is Florida one of them?
Cheryl McCloudUSA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
Aug. 5, 2026, 2:52 p.m. ET
- A drug-resistant fungus that can be deadly in health-care settings has been confirmed in 23 states this year.
- Florida has seen cases of Candida auris in past years.
- People in health-care settings are at risk of getting infected by the fungus that stays on surfaces.
A drug-resistant fungus that can be deadly in health-care settings has been confirmed in 23 states, with Texas and Michigan leading the U.S. in the number of cases
While the Candida auris fungus has been reported in Florida in past years, as of Aug. 5, no cases have been documented in the state, according to the Centers for Disease Control
The fungus can survive a long time on surfaces, is not killed by many standard disinfectants, is highly transmissible, and often multidrug-resistant
Here’s what you should know
What is candida auris?
Candida auris is a fungus that presents a serious global health risk, according to the Florida Department of Health, which cited three concerns about the fungus:
- It is often multidrug-resistant, meaning it is resistant to multiple antifungal drugs.
- It is difficult to identify with standard laboratory methods and it can be misidentified.
- It has caused outbreaks in health care settings.
How many cases reported in US of dangerous fungus?
According to the CDC, there have been 3,130 cases reported in the U.S. since Jan. 1
Texas leads the U.S. in the number of cases, 706, followed by Michigan with 503 cases
How many cases of deadly fungus reported in Florida?
As of the latest update through July 18 from the CDC, no reported cases of Candida auris have been reported in Florida this year
There have been cases of the fungal infection in the past
From 2017 to Jan. 24, 2022, the Florida Department of Health identified 325 people with Candida auris infections inFlorida
During that period, most Florida cases were the result of “local transmission in health-care settings, especially in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities providing ventilator care.”
The CDC reports 1,956 cases of Candida auris in Florida between 2013 and 2024
How dangerous is this drug-resistant fungus?
Candida auris can be deadly
The CDC estimated 30% to 60% of people with Candida auris infections have died, though many of those patients also had other serious health conditions that increased their risk
The fungus “can cause severe illness and spread easily among very sick patients in health-care facilities,” according to the CDC
“C. auris is often resistant to antifungal medications, meaning the fungus develops the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill it. That means the germs are not killed and continue to grow. Resistant infections can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat.”
Fungus can stay on surfaces for weeks
C. auris is an organism that persists on surfaces for weeks, according to the Florida Department of Health
“High-touch surfaces should be cleaned frequently and routinely to protect patients/residents and staff. Examples ofhigh-touch areas include,” but are not limited to:
- Bedrails
- Bed frames
- Tray tables
- Door handles
- IV poles
- Light switches
- Shower chairs
Who is most at risk for candida auris infection?
Healthy individuals usually do not get infected with C. auris, according to the Florida Department of Health
“Most people who develop C. auris infections have severe underlying medical conditions and require complex medical care. C. auris mostly affects” those with:
- Weakened immune systems.
- A history of long-term antibiotic use.
- Frequent and extended stays in health care settings.
- Invasive medical devices (e.g., breathing tubes, feeding tubes, urinary catheters, and central venous catheters).
What are the symptoms caused by the dangerous fungal infection?
Symptoms are dependent on the part of the body affected and can vary greatly, according to the Florida Department of Health
Candida auris can cause many different types of infection, such as:
- bloodstream infection
- wound infection
- ear infection
“Patients/residents with C. auris are often already sick with another serious illness or condition, so symptoms may not be noticeable,” FDOH said
“There is not a common set of symptoms specific for C. auris infections.”
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters
