Thursday, 6 August 2026, 15:42
The CDC has reported 3,130 cases of Candida auris in 23 states so far this year. That total is close to last year's pace, when 3,348 cases had been detected by the same point. The drug-resistant fungus is a growing concern in healthcare facilities across the country.
Candida auris is a type of yeast that can cause severe illness, especially among patients with serious medical conditions. It can lead to skin infections and life-threatening bloodstream infections.
The fungus spreads easily in healthcare settings. It can live on surfaces such as doorknobs and bedrails for long periods, which increases the risk of transmission in hospitals and nursing homes.
Most healthy people do not need to worry about C. auris infections, according to health officials. People with weakened immune systems or those who are immunocompromised face the highest risk. Patients with catheters, breathing tubes, or other medical devices are also considered more vulnerable.
The CDC estimates the mortality rate between 30 and 60 percent, but it cautions that many patients who contract the fungus are already seriously ill. So it can be hard to measure how much C. auris contributed to a death.
A CDC analysis of 8,033 samples from 2022 and 2023 found that more than 95 percent were resistant to fluconazole. About 15 percent were resistant to amphotericin B, and 1 percent were resistant to echinocandins. Fewer than 1 percent were resistant to all three main antifungal drug classes.
The good news is that most infections can still be treated with echinocandins. But the emergence of strains resistant to multiple drugs is a serious warning sign for public health.
While the CDC data does not show a state-by-state breakdown in the KCRA report, California healthcare facilities should remain alert. The state's large network of hospitals and nursing homes makes infection control a top priority. Sacramento-based KCRA covered this national update, but no California-specific case numbers were included in the article.
Residents and healthcare workers in California should follow CDC guidance on hand hygiene and surface cleaning to reduce the spread of C. auris.
Candida auris was first discovered in 1996 by Korean researchers and formally identified as a new species in Japan in 2009. It was first reported in the United States in 2016. Since then, it has spread rapidly, according to a report from The Hill cited by Nexstar.
The rising number of C. auris cases is a reminder that drug-resistant infections are a growing public health challenge. Hospitals and nursing homes should strengthen screening and infection control practices. Most healthy people can remain calm, but vulnerable patients need extra protection.
