Fungus Candida auris has been spreading rapidly across the United States — prompting the creation of a spread map from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Candida auris is known to evade many types of antifungal treatments and is easily spread from person to person — especially in healthcare settings. Here’s what you need to know about the outbreak.
While some states show no reported cases of Candida auris to date, January to December 2022 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention* shows cases across the country. States with clinical cases present include:
- California (1,001+ cases)
- Nevada (1,001+ cases)
- New York (1,001+ cases)
- Florida (1,001+ cases)
- Illinois (1,001+ cases)
- Texas (1,001+ cases)
- Colorado
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Arizona
- Alabama
- New Mexico
- Georgia
- Tennessee
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Kentucky
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
- Massachusetts
*All data is tracked through the CDC’s Mycotic Diseases Branch.
Candida auris was first found in 2009, presenting in the ear area (specifically, the otic canal) of a Japanese patient. The New York Times notes that it has, since then, begun “silently” spreading around the world, appearing in Venezuela, Britain, Pakistan, India, Spain, South Africa, and now the United States.
As of 2023, a patient at Mount Sinai Hospital tested positive for Candida auris — eventually succumbing to his injuries after a 90-day hospital stay. After he passed, staff tested the areas of his room; which showed an overwhelming presence of Candida auris.
Medical experts assumed that the quantity and prevalence of the colonies in the room indicated a drug-resistant nature to the fungus, possibly fueling the urgency of the CDC’s declaration shortly after.
Beyond its drug-resistant nature, it can also lead to infections in your bloodstream — entering through orifices (like your ears or mouth) and any open wounds you have. Symptoms can vary depending on the nature of your specific infection. Associated symptoms of Candida auris can include:
- Chills
- Blood pressure fluctuation
- Heart rate fluctuation
- Temperature fluctuation
- Fever
Per Cleveland Clinic, Candida auris is not generally thought to be airborne. Instead, it can be transmitted by touch, making it easily transmitted from person to person in healthcare settings, workplaces, and schools.
If you suspect that you are experiencing a Candida auris-related infection, you might consult with your healthcare provider. They can work with you to diagnose your condition and to provide a treatment plan that can help.
Candida auris can be diagnosed via blood work, a urine or stool sample, or via a fluid or tissue sample from an open wound. In some cases, it can also be diagnosed via a mucus membrane swab (such as a sample from your armpit or ear areas).
After diagnosis, your provider may suggest medication to both address Candida auris and soothe your symptoms. They might also suggest reporting your clinical case to the CDC.
