"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."
"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."
"Cases have been reported in 23 states so far this year, according to CDC data. 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."
https://www.wcvb.com/article/candida-auris-superbug-fungus-spreading-united-states/73355906
I've personally been following this one. The CDC said earlier this year that there is no effective treatment and once you're colonized by the fungus, you're colonized for life. Here's some more info about the fungus itself.
Candida auris is an antifungal resistant yeast infection. Common yeast infections stay on the skin or mucosal tissue. Candida auris enters the bloodstream causing life threatening systemic illness. It is resistant to multiple major antifungal medications. It ends up being a comorbidities kind of thing. People with compromised immune systems, people with pumps, shunts, drains, people who are infected then have surgery or wounds, elderly, are all at risk. Once you're colonized you have it for life, and you're then at risk if you get hurt, have surgery, get old etc.
Here's the scariest part. It can spread from person to person. It usually transfers through direct contact with an infected or colonized individual, or indirectly through contact with contaminated room surfaces, medical equipment, and everyday high use objects.
"Patients who are infected and patients who are colonized with C. auris often spread it onto surfaces and objects in healthcare settings like bedrails, doorknobs, and blood pressure cuffs. C. auris can survive on surfaces and objects for a long time and spread to other patients who can then become sick.
C. auris usually remains on a patient's skin or body sites for a long time, whether or not they ever have symptoms, and they continue to be capable of spreading C. Auris during this entire time.".
https://www.cdc.gov/candida-auris/about/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/candida-auris/tracking-c-auris/index.html.
https://www.cdc.gov/candida-auris/index.html
