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Rachel V Thomas

US CDC Reports Two-Fold Rise in Deadly Superbug Candida auris: Who's At Risk?

<span>Deadly superbug</span> <span>Candida auris</span> remains a critical public health concern in the United States. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of clinical C. auris cases nearly doubled, rising from 2,882 to 6,197, according to the latest surveillance report from the <span>US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</span> (<span>CDC</span>).

The multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen infected at least 7,000 people across 27 US states by early 2026, according to the CDC. However, the agency's latest <span>Surveillance Summaries</span> report focuses on trends between 2022 and 2024.

The CDC noted that the drug-resistant fungus continues to pose a major challenge for hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities because it is difficult to treat and control.

"Candida auris is an emerging <span>yeast</span> that is frequently resistant to antifungal drugs. C. auris can cause invasive infections associated with high mortality and can colonize patients asymptomatically, which facilitates transmission in health care settings," the CDC said.

"Since it was first reported in the United States in 2016, C. auris has been identified in multiple states, with increasing numbers of cases reported annually. Monitoring national trends in cases identified through clinical testing and screening for colonization is critical to guide infection prevention and control efforts," the CDC report said.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/one-in-three-hospital-patients-with-serious-mould-infections-died-cdc-study-finds-article-155237498" data-type="tilCustomLink">One In Three Hospital Patients With Serious Mold Infections Died, CDC Study Finds</a> 

<h2>Key Findings From the CDC Report</h2>

<ul><li>13,507 clinical Candida auris cases were reported to the CDC between 2022 and 2024.</li><li>Annual cases increased from 2,882 in 2022 to 4,428 in 2023 and 6,197 in 2024.</li><li>The annual growth rate slowed, falling from 53.7% (2022–2023) to 39.9% (2023–2024), even as total cases continued to rise.</li><li>Adults aged 45 years and older accounted for 87.8% of clinical cases, while 61.0% of cases occurred in males.</li><li>The most common specimen types were urine (31.5%) and blood (30.2%).</li><li>The proportion of blood specimens declined over the study period, from 34.4% in 2022 to 30.2% in 2023 and 25.6% in 2024.</li><li>Most clinical cases were identified in acute care hospitals (76.6%), followed by long-term acute care hospitals (17.8%).</li></ul>

The CDC said the continued increase in cases highlights ongoing transmission in healthcare settings and underscores the need for sustained infection prevention and control efforts, supported by federal, state, and local public health partners.

<h2>Why Is Candida auris So Difficult to Control?</h2>

Unlike many other infections, Candida auris spreads easily through contaminated medical equipment and direct person-to-person contact. It can also survive on surfaces and is resistant to many commonly used disinfectants, making outbreaks difficult to contain once the fungus enters a healthcare facility.

Health officials say the steady increase in cases each year points to ongoing transmission in healthcare settings.

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-measles-cases-reach-2371-rfk-jr-takes-u-turn-urges-families-to-vaccinate-kids-article-155235414" data-type="tilCustomLink">US Measles Cases Reach 2,371; RFK Jr Takes U-Turn, Urges Families to Vaccinate Kids</a>

<h2>Candida auris: Symptoms and Health Risks</h2>

<ul><li><em>Candida auris</em> can infect the <span rel="noindex">bloodstream</span>, wounds, ears, and other parts of the body.</li><li>Symptoms vary depending on the site and severity of the infection</li><li>Some infected people may have no symptoms (asymptomatic infection)</li></ul>However, the CDC noted that most people who develop Candida auris infections are already seriously ill, making it difficult to determine how much the fungus contributes to death compared with underlying medical conditions.

The fungus is especially dangerous in hospitals and nursing facilities because it can survive for long periods on surfaces such as doorknobs, counters, and bed rails. Its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs makes infections difficult to treat and eliminate.

<h2>Candida auris: Who's At High Risk?</h2>

A 2025 study published by Cambridge University Press found that Candida auris typically enters the body through devices such as catheters, breathing tubes, feeding tubes, or peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines).

The study, which included 321 patients, found that people with Candida auris generally had significant underlying illnesses, with an average age of 60–64 years.

More than half of the patients required intensive care unit admission, over one-third needed mechanical ventilation, and more than half required blood transfusions.

People with healthy immune systems are generally better able to fight the infection than those who are elderly or have serious underlying illnesses. The CDC has previously estimated that, based on limited patient data, 30%–60% of people with Candida auris infections have died, although many had severe underlying medical conditions.

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Deadly superbug Candida auris remains a critical public health concern in the United States. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of clinical C. auris cases nearly doubled, rising from 2,882 to 6,197, according to the latest surveillance report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen infected at least 7,000 people across 27 US states by early 2026, according to the CDC. However, the agency's latest Surveillance Summaries report focuses on trends between 2022 and 2024.The CDC noted that the drug-resistant fungus continues to pose a major challenge for hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities because it is difficult to treat and control."Candida auris is an emerging yeast that is frequently resistant to antifungal drugs. C. auris can cause invasive infections associated with high mortality and can colonize patients asymptomatically, which facilitates transmission in health care settings," the CDC said. "Since it was first reported in the United States in 2016, C. auris has been identified in multiple states, with increasing numbers of cases reported annually. Monitoring national trends in cases identified through clinical testing and screening for colonization is critical to guide infection prevention and control efforts," the CDC report said.Also read: One In Three Hospital Patients With Serious Mold Infections Died, CDC Study Finds Key Findings From the CDC Report13,507 clinical Candida auris cases were reported to the CDC between 2022 and 2024.Annual cases increased from 2,882 in 2022 to 4,428 in 2023 and 6,197 in 2024.The annual growth rate slowed, falling from 53.7% (2022–2023) to 39.9% (2023–2024), even as total cases continued to rise.Adults aged 45 years and older accounted for 87.8% of clinical cases, while 61.0% of cases occurred in males.The most common specimen types were urine (31.5%) and blood (30.2%).The proportion of blood specimens declined over the study period, from 34.4% in 2022 to 30.2% in 2023 and 25.6% in 2024.Most clinical cases were identified in acute care hospitals (76.6%), followed by long-term acute care hospitals (17.8%).The CDC said the continued increase in cases highlights ongoing transmission in healthcare settings and underscores the need for sustained infection prevention and control efforts, supported by federal, state, and local public health partners.Why Is Candida auris So Difficult to Control?Unlike many other infections, Candida auris spreads easily through contaminated medical equipment and direct person-to-person contact. It can also survive on surfaces and is resistant to many commonly used disinfectants, making outbreaks difficult to contain once the fungus enters a healthcare facility.Health officials say the steady increase in cases each year points to ongoing transmission in healthcare settings.Read More: US Measles Cases Reach 2,371; RFK Jr Takes U-Turn, Urges Families to Vaccinate KidsCandida auris: Symptoms and Health RisksCandida auris can infect the bloodstream, wounds, ears, and other parts of the body.Symptoms vary depending on the site and severity of the infectionSome infected people may have no symptoms (asymptomatic infection)However, the CDC noted that most people who develop Candida auris infections are already seriously ill, making it difficult to determine how much the fungus contributes to death compared with underlying medical conditions.The fungus is especially dangerous in hospitals and nursing facilities because it can survive for long periods on surfaces such as doorknobs, counters, and bed rails. Its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs makes infections difficult to treat and eliminate.Candida auris: Who's At High Risk?A 2025 study published by Cambridge University Press found that Candida auris typically enters the body through devices such as catheters, breathing tubes, feeding tubes, or peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines).The study, which included 321 patients, found that people with Candida auris generally had significant underlying illnesses, with an average age of 60–64 years.More than half of the patients required intensive care unit admission, over one-third needed mechanical ventilation, and more than half required blood transfusions.People with healthy immune systems are generally better able to fight the infection than those who are elderly or have serious underlying illnesses. The CDC has previously estimated that, based on limited patient data, 30%–60% of people with Candida auris infections have died, although many had severe underlying medical conditions.

us cdc reports two-fold rise in deadly superbug candida auris: who's at risk?

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US CDC Reports Two-Fold Rise in Deadly Superbug Candida auris: Who's At Risk?

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US CDC Reports Two-Fold Rise in Deadly Superbug Candida auris: Who's At Risk?

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