You might have heard about a “superbug” called Candida auris — it’s a type of fungus that can cause serious infections, especially in hospitals and healthcare settings. It’s sometimes called a superbug because it is resistant to many common antifungal medicines, meaning it’s harder to treat than typical fungal infections.
Unlike everyday yeast infections that are mild, C. auris can cause serious illness in people who are already sick or have weak immune systems.
How Does Candida auris Spread?
This fungus spreads mostly in places like hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities. It can live on a person’s skin without causing symptoms, and it can also stick to surfaces like bed rails, equipment, door handles and medical devices. If someone touches these surfaces and then touches themselves without cleaning properly, the fungus can spread from one person to another.
People most at risk include those:
- Already seriously ill
- With invasive devices like catheters or ventilators
- With weakened immune systems
Healthy people outside healthcare settings rarely get sick, but patients in hospitals or care homes are at higher risk.
What Are the Symptoms of Candida auris?
The symptoms vary, and C. auris infections can look like many other illnesses, so doctors often need lab tests to confirm it. Common signs may include:
- Fever or chills that don’t go away
- Low blood pressure
- Muscle aches
- Pain at the site of infection
If the fungus enters the bloodstream, it can affect internal organs and become life-threatening.
How Serious Is This Disease?
C. auris is considered serious for a few reasons:
- It’s resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, so treatment options are limited.
- It spreads easily in hospitals and care facilities.
- It can cause deep infections, including bloodstream infections.
Because of these factors, health authorities consider it a high-priority concern in public health.
How Is Candida auris Treated?
Doctors treat C. auris using antifungal medicines, but it takes careful testing first to see which medicines might still work. Some strains are resistant to more than one medication, so treatment can be complicated and may require special combinations of drugs.
In serious cases, patients may need intensive care, and healthcare teams take extra precautions to prevent the fungus from spreading to other patients.
Where Is Candida auris Spreading in the United States?
In recent years, C. auris has been increasing across the U.S., and 2025 has seen even more cases than before:
- Over 7,000 clinical cases of C. auris have been reported across the country in 2025 — a sharp rise compared with previous years. Becker’s Hospital Review
- Roughly half of those cases are in California and Nevada, each with around 1,500 confirmed infections. Becker’s Hospital Review
- Other states with large numbers include Texas (over 800), Illinois (nearly 500), Georgia (over 370) and many more. Becker’s Hospital Review
How Did It Spread Around the World?
Candida auris was first identified in Japan in 2009, and since then it has appeared in many parts of the world. It has been detected on multiple continents and has caused outbreaks in various countries, especially in healthcare settings.
What makes it tough is that it often doesn’t cause symptoms right away, so it can spread quietly before health teams realise what is happening.
Consequences of Recent Spread
The main consequences of C. auris spreading include:
- More infections in hospitals and care homes
- Harder treatment because of drug resistance
- Increased need for infection control measures like isolation and deep cleaning
- Added stress on healthcare systems during times of high patient load
Even though many infections occur in sick patients, the overall increase signals a growing challenge for health professionals.
Precautions to Prevent Candida auris
Stopping the spread of C. auris takes consistent care, especially in medical settings:
🧼 Hand hygiene: Washing hands often with soap or sanitizer.
🧽 Cleaning surfaces: Using strong disinfectants that can kill the fungus.
🚪 Isolation: Patients known to be infected should be kept apart from others.
🩺 Screening: Testing high-risk patients early.
🥼 Protective gear: Healthcare workers should use gloves and gowns.
Good hygiene and infection control help protect both patients and healthcare staff.
Final Takeaway
C. auris is a concerning fungus because it’s resistant, spreads easily in hospitals, and is increasing in many states across the U.S. It’s not usually a threat to healthy people going about daily life, but in healthcare settings it poses a real challenge. Being aware, practicing good hygiene, and supporting strong infection control are the best ways to stay safe.
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