A deadly, drug-resistant “superbug” is spreading across the United States — and California has reported the most cases so far.
More than 4,500 cases of Candida auris infections have been reported nationwide so far in 2026, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The so-called “superbug” can cause severe infections that are often resistant to antifungal medications, the American Medical Association said, putting patients at hospitals and healthcare facilities in danger.
According to the CDC, California has reported a total of 972 cases of Candida auris in 2026, the most of any U.S. state.
California logged three cases of the fatal fungus during the week of Aug. 9, according to the most recent data from the CDC.
In 2025, the California Department of Public Health had 2,530 cases of Candida auris, which has steadily increased since 2019.
Here’s what to know about the fungal superbug — and how to keep your loved ones safe:
An illustration of Candida auris. The emerging species of yeast is spreading throughout the United States. peterschreiber.media Getty Images What is Candida auris?
Candida auris is a type of yeast that can cause “severe illness” and “spreads easily among very sick patients in healthcare facilities,” according to the CDC.
The fungus can cause everything from skin infections to life-threatening bloodstream infections.
It’s been “responsible for large outbreaks in California hospitals and skilled nursing facilities,” the California Department of Public Health said.
Although C. auris infections are generally rare, healthcare providers consider them an “emerging infectious disease” with cases spiking since 2019, the Cleveland Clinic said.
California saw a total of 3,859 C. auris cases in 2025, compared to 3,325 the previous year, according to tracking data from the state Public Health Department.
Why is fungus considered dangerous?
Canida auris is frequently resistant to antifungal medications, with the fungus developing the ability to “defeat the drugs designed to kill it,” according to the CDC.
“Resistant infections can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat,” the CDC said.
From 2017 to 2022, 34% of cases of the fungal infection resulted in death, the CDC said.
What are symptoms of Candida auris infection?
Symptoms of a Candida auris infection can include the following, according to the Cleveland Clinic:
FeverChillsLethargyLow blood pressure.High heart rateLow body temperaturePain, pressure or a feeling of fullness in your ear
A Candida auris infection is best treated with antifungal medicines such as Echinocandins, the CDC and healthcare company Kaiser Permanente said, although infections often don’t respond to just one drug.
In severe cases, your doctor may give high does of more than one antifungal medicine.
Candida auris infections can range from superficial to life-threatening. Mladen Sladojevic Getty Images Who’s at risk of infection?
Candida auris usually affects patients with severe underlying medical conditions and people with invasive medical devices such as breathing tubes, feeding tubes and catheters, according to the CDC.
Patients can have the fungus can live on their skin or other parts of their body even if they don’t have symptoms, the CDC said.
It can also spread to other surfaces and objects.
Healthcare providers and visitors aren’t at risk of becoming infected, experts said.
Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus, is mostly spread in medical facilities, health experts say. Luis Alvarez Getty Images How can hospitals prevent superbug from spreading?
According to the CDC, healthcare providers can take the following steps to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
Frequent hand cleaning with alcohol-based sanitizerIsolation of patients with C. aurisConstant disinfecting of patients’ roomsWearing gloves and gowns when delivering careCleaning of visitors’ hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizerWhich US states have reported outbreaks?
According to a CDC dashboard, there had been a total of 4,511 reported cases of Candida auris infections across 28 states as of Aug. 15. These were all the states where infections have spread as of Aug. 15, according to CDC data:
ArizonaCaliforniaColoradoGeorgiaIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMarylandMichiganMississippiNevadaNew JerseyNew MexicoNorth DakotaNorth CarolinaOhioOregonPennsylvaniaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsin
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This story was originally published August 21, 2026 at 12:15 PM.
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The Tribune
Alexiah Syrai Olsen is a service journalism reporter for The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, California. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and design from The New School in New York City.
The Sacramento Bee
Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 35 years. He is a service reporter based at The Sacramento Bee.