Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Candida Auris Spreads Across 26 US States; Here’s Who Is Most At Risk

candida auris in us

A dangerous, drug-resistant fungus has infected more than 7,000 people across 27 US states, including Mississippi, in 2025, federal health data shows. The infection, known as <span>Candida auris</span>, is classified as an “emerging infectious disease,” after doctors and public health experts noted a steady rise in cases since 2019, according to specialists at the Cleveland Clinic.

As of December 20, Mississippi had reported 108 cases of the fungal infection, based on figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here is what you need to know about Candida auris cases in Mississippi.

<h2>What Is Candida Auris?</h2>Candida auris is a type of yeast that spreads quickly among patients who are already ill, particularly in hospitals and other healthcare settings, CDC experts say. The fungus can cause a range of infections, from those affecting the skin to severe and potentially fatal bloodstream infections. 

Treating it is challenging because the organism can adapt to medications meant to eliminate it, health experts note. C. auris mainly affects people with serious underlying health problems and those using invasive medical devices such as ventilators, feeding tubes, or catheters, according to the CDC.

The fungus spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects and can remain on a person’s skin or other body areas even when no symptoms are present. Experts say healthcare workers and visitors are not considered at risk of becoming infected.

<h2>Candida Auris: What Are The Symptoms?</h2>

Symptoms of Candida auris are not always noticeable, but when they do appear, they may include the following, according to the Cleveland Clinic:

<ul><li>Ear infections</li><li>Wound infections</li><li>Urinary tract infections</li><li>Blood infections that spread throughout the body</li></ul>

<h2>Candida Auris: How Can It Be Prevented?</h2>The CDC advises healthcare facilities to take several steps to limit the spread of Candida auris, including:

<ul><li>Regular hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitizer</li><li>Isolating patients who test positive for C. auris</li><li>Frequent and thorough cleaning of patient rooms</li><li>Using gloves and gowns while providing care</li><li>Ensuring visitors clean their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer</li></ul>

<h2>Which US States Have Reported Cases Of Candida Auris?</h2>

According to CDC data as of December 20, cases have been reported in the following states:

<ul><li>Pennsylvania</li><li>Illinois</li><li>Indiana</li><li>Michigan</li><li>Ohio</li><li>Wisconsin</li><li>Iowa</li><li>Kansas</li><li>Delaware</li><li>Georgia</li><li>Maryland</li><li>North Carolina</li><li>Virginia</li><li>West Virginia</li><li>Kentucky</li><li>Mississippi</li><li>Tennessee</li><li>Louisiana</li><li>Texas</li><li>Arizona</li><li>Colorado</li><li>Montana</li><li>Nevada</li><li>Utah</li><li>Wyoming</li><li>California</li><li>Oregon</li></ul>

<h2>Drug Resistance For Candida Auris Grows</h2>

Candida auris, often referred to as a “superbug fungus,” is continuing to spread worldwide and is becoming increasingly resistant to both antifungal drugs and the human immune response, researchers at the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation said in a review published in early December.

The findings support earlier CDC warnings that labeled C. auris an “urgent antimicrobial threat,” making it the first fungal pathogen to receive that classification, as case numbers have climbed sharply in the United States, especially in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

The review, published in the journal Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, explains why the fungus is so difficult to control and highlights how outdated testing methods and limited treatment options have failed to keep pace. The research was led by Dr. Neeraj Chauhan of Hackensack Meridian CDI in New Jersey, Dr. Anuradha Chowdhary from the University of Delhi’s Medical Mycology Unit, and Dr. Michail Lionakis, head of the clinical mycology program at the National Institutes of Health.

In their statement, reported by Fox News, the researchers emphasized the urgent need to develop new antifungal drugs with broad effectiveness, improve diagnostic tools, and explore immune-based and vaccine-related treatments to better protect high-risk patients.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

candida auris

candida auris symptoms

how does candida auris spread

cdc candida auris

candida auris treatment

candida auris transmission

candida auris precautions

candida auris antibiotic resistance

candida auris antifungal resistance

candida auris contagious

Trying To Lose Weight? NHS Issues Portion Size Rule For Better Results

Your Coffee Cup Is Exposing You To Microplastics, Study Suggests

Health & Wellness

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

A dangerous, drug-resistant fungus has infected more than 7,000 people across 27 US states, including Mississippi, in 2025, federal health data shows. The infection, known as Candida auris, is classified as an “emerging infectious disease,” after doctors and public health experts noted a steady rise in cases since 2019, according to specialists at the Cleveland Clinic.As of December 20, Mississippi had reported 108 cases of the fungal infection, based on figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here is what you need to know about Candida auris cases in Mississippi.What Is Candida Auris?Candida auris is a type of yeast that spreads quickly among patients who are already ill, particularly in hospitals and other healthcare settings, CDC experts say. The fungus can cause a range of infections, from those affecting the skin to severe and potentially fatal bloodstream infections. Treating it is challenging because the organism can adapt to medications meant to eliminate it, health experts note. C. auris mainly affects people with serious underlying health problems and those using invasive medical devices such as ventilators, feeding tubes, or catheters, according to the CDC.The fungus spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects and can remain on a person’s skin or other body areas even when no symptoms are present. Experts say healthcare workers and visitors are not considered at risk of becoming infected.Candida Auris: What Are The Symptoms?Symptoms of Candida auris are not always noticeable, but when they do appear, they may include the following, according to the Cleveland Clinic:Ear infectionsWound infectionsUrinary tract infectionsBlood infections that spread throughout the bodyCandida Auris: How Can It Be Prevented?The CDC advises healthcare facilities to take several steps to limit the spread of Candida auris, including:Regular hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand sanitizerIsolating patients who test positive for C. aurisFrequent and thorough cleaning of patient roomsUsing gloves and gowns while providing careEnsuring visitors clean their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizerWhich US States Have Reported Cases Of Candida Auris?According to CDC data as of December 20, cases have been reported in the following states:PennsylvaniaIllinoisIndianaMichiganOhioWisconsinIowaKansasDelawareGeorgiaMarylandNorth CarolinaVirginiaWest VirginiaKentuckyMississippiTennesseeLouisianaTexasArizonaColoradoMontanaNevadaUtahWyomingCaliforniaOregonDrug Resistance For Candida Auris GrowsCandida auris, often referred to as a “superbug fungus,” is continuing to spread worldwide and is becoming increasingly resistant to both antifungal drugs and the human immune response, researchers at the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation said in a review published in early December.The findings support earlier CDC warnings that labeled C. auris an “urgent antimicrobial threat,” making it the first fungal pathogen to receive that classification, as case numbers have climbed sharply in the United States, especially in hospitals and long-term care facilities.The review, published in the journal Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, explains why the fungus is so difficult to control and highlights how outdated testing methods and limited treatment options have failed to keep pace. The research was led by Dr. Neeraj Chauhan of Hackensack Meridian CDI in New Jersey, Dr. Anuradha Chowdhary from the University of Delhi’s Medical Mycology Unit, and Dr. Michail Lionakis, head of the clinical mycology program at the National Institutes of Health.In their statement, reported by Fox News, the researchers emphasized the urgent need to develop new antifungal drugs with broad effectiveness, improve diagnostic tools, and explore immune-based and vaccine-related treatments to better protect high-risk patients.