This drug-resistant fungus labeled an ‘urgent threat’ by CDC is spreading: Here are the symptoms and how it spreads
Since the first US case of Candida auris was detected in 2016, the number of infections has soared prompting the CDC to label it an “urgent threat.”
US health officials are calling Candida auris “an urgent antimicrobial resistance threat.” Since the first case of the drug-resistant fungus was detected in 2016 in the United States, the number of infections has soared to over 4,500 according to CDC data.
Cases have been reported in all but 12 states and recently cases have been increasing “rapidly” in Florida according to a medical study as well as growing in Georgia. Candida auris has been discovered in both state’s hospital systems reports The Hill.
Symptoms of Candida auris infection
One concern for medical officials is that it can be hard to identify when the fungus infects a patient.
Those infected with Candida auris commonly have fevers and chills, similar symptoms to infections caused by bacteria. However, the symptoms continue after a patient is treated with antibiotics for a suspected bacterial infection.
Unfortunately, there is not a common specific set of symptoms, and they may differ depending on the location of the infection.
This type of yeast can cause infections in different parts of the body but most commonly in bloodstream, wounds, urine and ears. However, it has also been found in the respiratory tract.
Candida auris is diagnosed through laboratory testing of a culture of blood or other bodily fluids. Often it is misidentified as another Candida species.
🚨BREAKING | Fungus Declared "Urgent Threat" Spreading Rapidly
— Citizen (@CitizenApp) March 24, 2025
Candida auris, also known as C. auris, was first discovered in the U.S. in 2016. The number of cases has increased each year, with a particularly significant jump in 2023. The fungus can spread easily in healthcare… pic.twitter.com/o6UsSbiUAi
How Candida auris spreads
Not only is this pathogen concerning because there is no treatment but also because of how well it is adapting to surviving on surfaces. “It’s really good at just being, generally speaking, in the environment,” assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina Melissa Nolan told Nexstar.
Candida auris can also spread from person-to-person through ‘colonization’, where a person has the fungus on their body but shows no symptoms. They can spread the yeast as they come into contact with objects and surfaces around them as well as other patients.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.