Candida Auris Infections Rose Sharply Through 2024
The urgent antimicrobial-resistance threat saw clinical case counts climb from 2,882 in 2022 to 6,197 in 2024.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in COVID-19
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Clinical cases of the fungus Candida auris surged between 2022 and 2024, prompting the CDC to designate the pathogen as an urgent antimicrobial-resistance threat. The infection, which was first reported in the United States in 2016, continues to spread across healthcare settings.
Why it matters
The rise in cases is attributed to lapses in infection-control practices and the fact that antifungal medications receive significantly less research investment than antibiotics. Because colonized patients often carry the fungus without symptoms, it can easily spread between patients and facilities.
Clinical case counts rose to 6,197 in 2024 from 2,882 in 2022, with 88 percent of infections occurring in individuals aged 45 or older. Researchers found the fungus on gloves or gowns in 29 percent of 1,083 monitored care interactions.
The players
CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the national public health agency of the United States.
The details
The fungus spreads through contaminated hospital surfaces like bed rails and blood-pressure cuffs, persisting in colonized patients for months. California, Nevada, and Texas reported the highest number of clinical cases in 2026, with 28 states reporting infections as of September 5 of that year.
Timeline
Candida auris was first reported in the United States in 2016.
There were 2,882 clinical cases reported in 2022.
Clinical cases reached 6,197 in 2024.
As of September 5, 2025, officials reported 4,581 clinical cases.
As of September 5, 2026, 28 states reported 5,099 clinical cases.
Health Landscape
This surge follows the CDC's designation of Candida auris as an urgent antimicrobial-resistance threat, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in clinical infection control. The trajectory mirrors broader challenges in managing fungal pathogens, which historically receive less funding than antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Patients and families visiting healthcare facilities should remain aware of hygiene protocols, as the fungus spreads readily through contact with contaminated surfaces and equipment. The risk is highest for those aged 45 and older, necessitating careful adherence to infection-control measures in clinical settings.
The takeaway
Healthcare facilities must prioritize stringent surface cleaning and equipment disinfection to break the chain of transmission. Individuals should ask medical providers about infection-control practices when planning for hospital stays or procedures.
Further reading
For more information on national disease monitoring, visit our /health/diseases/covid-19/ page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Scientist.
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