The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 3,437 clinical cases of Candida auris (C. auris) in the U.S. through July 25, 2024, spanning at least 27 states. The fungus, which can cause severe infections in medically vulnerable patients, has seen a steady increase in reported cases in recent years.
California leads with 873 cases, accounting for roughly one-quarter of the national total. Other states with high case counts include Texas (433), Tennessee (283), Ohio (279), Georgia (193), Louisiana (179), Illinois (171), Arizona (171), Michigan (146), Virginia (132), and Pennsylvania (121). The remaining states report fewer than 100 cases each.
C. auris is a drug-resistant yeast that can cause life-threatening infections, particularly in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. The fungus is highly transmissible through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, including bedrails, doorknobs, and shared medical equipment. It can also spread via asymptomatic carriers, a condition known as colonization.
While most healthy individuals face minimal risk, the CDC classifies C. auris as an urgent public health threat due to its resistance to multiple antifungal medications and its ability to survive on surfaces for extended periods. The agency has emphasized that patients with weakened immune systems, invasive medical devices, or underlying health conditions are at the highest risk of severe infection.
Transmission and Risk Factors
C. auris spreads readily in healthcare environments, where it can persist on surfaces and medical equipment. The CDC notes that the fungus is highly transmissible between patients through indirect contact, making long-term care facilities and hospitals particularly vulnerable. Asymptomatic individuals may unknowingly carry and spread the fungus, further complicating containment efforts.
Infections can range from asymptomatic colonization to invasive bloodstream infections, which can be fatal in severe cases. The CDC defines a clinical case as the detection of C. auris in a specimen collected during routine medical care, though not all clinical cases represent active infections.
Public Health Response
Health officials have monitored C. auris closely since its identification in 2009, citing its potential to become established in healthcare facilities. The CDC has worked with hospitals and nursing homes to implement enhanced infection control measures, including rigorous surface disinfection and patient screening protocols.
The agency describes C. auris as an emerging public health threat, with cases rising steadily in recent years. While the fungus poses little risk to healthy individuals, its spread in healthcare settings remains a significant concern due to the limited treatment options available for infected patients.
State-by-State Breakdown
The following states have reported the highest number of C. auris cases in 2024:
- California: 873
- Texas: 433
- Tennessee: 283
- Ohio: 279
- Georgia: 193
- Louisiana: 179
- Illinois: 171
- Arizona: 171
- Michigan: 146
- Virginia: 132
- Pennsylvania: 121
The remaining states report fewer than 100 cases each, with some reporting only a handful of incidents. The CDC continues to track cases through its National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, providing updated data on the outbreak's progression.