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What Is Candida auris? The Drug-Resistant Superbug Now Spreading in 27 States
What Is the Superbug Spreading Across 27 U.S. States

A dangerous drug-resistant fungal superbug called Candida auris is spreading across the United States, with confirmed cases reported in at least 27 states. Public health officials warn that the pathogen poses a serious threat in hospitals and long-term care facilities, where vulnerable patients face the highest risk.

Unlike common infections, Candida auris is difficult to detect, hard to eliminate from medical environments, and often resistant to multiple antifungal medications. Its rapid spread has raised concerns among doctors, epidemiologists, and healthcare systems nationwide.

What Is Candida auris?

Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungus that can cause severe, sometimes life-threatening infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

It was first identified in 2009 and has since emerged globally as a major healthcare-associated pathogen. In the U.S., health officials classify it as an urgent public health threat because of its resistance to treatment and its ability to spread inside medical facilities.

Key facts about Candida auris

  • It is not a bacteria, but a fungus

  • Many strains resist one or more antifungal drugs

  • Some infections are resistant to all available treatments

  • It spreads mainly in healthcare settings, not the general community

Where Is the Superbug Spreading in the U.S.?

As of 2025, Candida auris has been detected in more than half of U.S. states, with the highest concentrations linked to:

  • Hospitals

  • Nursing homes

  • Long-term care and rehabilitation centers

Outbreaks are often associated with facilities that treat patients requiring intensive care, prolonged hospital stays, or invasive medical devices.

Why Is Candida auris So Dangerous?

1. Strong Resistance to Treatment

Many infections do not respond to standard antifungal medications. This limits treatment options and increases the risk of severe complications.

2. Hard to Kill on Surfaces

C. auris can survive for long periods on:

  • Bed rails

  • Medical equipment

  • Doorknobs and shared surfaces

Routine cleaning products may not be effective, allowing the fungus to persist and spread.

3. Difficult to Identify

Standard lab tests can misidentify the fungus, delaying proper treatment and infection-control measures.

4. High Mortality in Vulnerable Patients

While not dangerous to most healthy people, invasive Candida auris infections can be fatal for patients who are already critically ill.

Who Is Most at Risk?

People at highest risk include those who:

  • Have weakened immune systems

  • Use ventilators, catheters, or central lines

  • Have undergone recent surgery

  • Spend extended time in hospitals or nursing homes

  • Receive frequent antibiotics or antifungal drugs

Healthy individuals rarely become infected.

What Are the Symptoms of a Candida auris Infection?

Symptoms depend on where the infection occurs and may include:

  • Persistent fever or chills that do not improve with antibiotics

  • Bloodstream infections (sepsis)

  • Wound, ear, or urinary tract infections

Because symptoms resemble other illnesses, laboratory testing is required for confirmation.

How Does Candida auris Spread?

C. auris spreads primarily through:

  • Direct contact with infected or colonized patients

  • Contaminated medical equipment

  • Unclean surfaces in healthcare settings

It does not usually spread through casual contact in everyday public environments.

What Are Health Officials Doing About It?

Public health agencies, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are urging healthcare facilities to:

  • Improve screening and early detection

  • Isolate infected patients when necessary

  • Enforce strict hand hygiene

  • Use specialized disinfectants proven to kill C. auris

  • Track and report cases more aggressively

Should the Public Be Worried?

For most Americans, the risk remains very low. The superbug primarily threatens people already receiving medical care.

However, experts warn that the spread of Candida auris reflects a larger global problem: the rise of drug-resistant infections that are increasingly difficult to treat.

Why This Superbug Matters Now

The expansion of Candida auris across 27 states highlights critical challenges in modern healthcare:

  • Antimicrobial resistance

  • Infection control in crowded medical facilities

  • The need for faster diagnostics and new treatments

Without continued vigilance, experts say drug-resistant pathogens like this one could become more common in the years ahead.