Drug-resistant ‘superbug’ fungus spreads to 23 states. What you should know
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Updated: 7:09 PM EDT Aug 5, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Brian Wiechert
Digital Editor
Drug-resistant ‘superbug’ fungus spreads to 23 states. What you should know
Updated: 7:09 PM EDT Aug 5, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Brian Wiechert
Digital Editor
A drug-resistant “superbug” fungus continues to spread across the U.S., now present in 23 states
And despite efforts to contain its spread, the fungus — Candida auris — continues to spread across the nation, with nearly half of U.S. states reporting cases in 2026
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According to the latest tracking data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3,000 cases have been reported so far this year. Texas has reported 706 cases so far, with Michigan reporting 503
Cases have exploded across the U.S. in the last decade, with federal health officials sounding the alarm
What is Candida auris?
Candida auris is a fungus that can spread quickly in hospitals and nursing homes and is often resistant to multiple antifungal drugs. Because of its resistance to drugs, it’s incredibly difficult to treat — with some health experts calling it a “superbug.”
Health officials say the fungus primarily threatens people with serious underlying medical conditions and emphasize that early detection, patient screening and strong infection control measures are key to preventing outbreaks
The harmful yeast can cause serious infections and death in those who are vulnerable
Most people without underlying health conditions are not at risk
Where have cases been reported?
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Cases have been reported in 23 states so far this year As of July 18, 3,130 total cases have been reported across the nation, including 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. You can see a full state-by-state breakdown in the map above
But perhaps the biggest red flag for federal health officials is how sharply cases have climbed over the past decade, increasing from 48 clinical cases in 2016 to more than 6,300 in 2024
“The rapid rise and geographic spread of cases is concerning and emphasizes the need for continued surveillance, expanded lab capacity, quicker diagnostic tests, and adherence to proven infection prevention and control,” said CDC epidemiologist Dr. Meghan Lyman
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Federal officials say case counts may have increased for several reasons, including poor general infection and prevention control in healthcare facilities. They could also be increasing slightly due to enhanced efforts to detect the disease
What are the symptoms?
Candida auris can cause infection in different parts of the body, like the blood, wounds and ears
Symptoms vary widely. According to the Cleveland Clinic, common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Lethargy
- Low blood pressure
- High heart rate
- Low body temperature
- Pain, pressure or feeling of fullness in your ear
Health experts reiterate that most healthy people can recover from Candida auris on their own. But people in healthcare settings navigating other serious health issues are vulnerable
How does it spread?
Candida auris is transmitted from contact with someone who has it — even if they have no symptoms
It can also be transmitted through a contaminated surface. In healthcare settings, infections can pass from person to person or through contaminated medical equipment, officials with the Cleveland Clinic state. It can also infect you through a medical device in your body — like a central venous line or breathing tube
Experts do not believe it spreads through the air
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