Drug-resistant Candida auris fungus reported in 27 U.S. states

According to provisional CDC figures, 3,437 clinical instances of the drug-resistant yeast Candida auris have been identified across 27 states this year, with the data covering the week ending July 25. California accounts for 873 cases, roughly a quarter of the national total, while Texas (433), Tennessee (283) and Ohio (279) also report high numbers. The organism thrives in healthcare environments, persisting on items such as bedrails, doorknobs and shared medical tools, and can be transmitted by asymptomatic carriers.

Clinical cases may represent either colonization or true infection, which can range from harmless presence to life-threatening bloodstream involvement. Those most at risk include patients with severe underlying conditions and those using breathing tubes, feeding tubes, IV lines or catheters. The CDC classifies Candida auris as an urgent antimicrobial-resistance threat, noting that most U.S. isolates resist fluconazole and that treatment options are limited.