Dangerous Fungus Rapidly Spreading in U.S. Hospitals: A Growing Threat

Healthcare systems across the U.S. are facing an alarming challenge with the rapid spread of Candida auris (C. auris), a dangerous fungal infection.

Since its first reported case in 2016, C. auris has surged, prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to label it an "urgent antimicrobial resistance threat." By March 2023, over 4,000 new clinical cases had been reported. This isn't the kind of growth we want to see outside of Wall Street.

The fungus, known for its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs, primarily impacts people who are already sick, making healthcare settings its prime playground. According to the CDC, it spreads easily within these facilities, adding another layer of complexity for hospitals already stretched thin.

A study published on March 17 in the American Journal of Infection Control analyzed C. auris clinical cultures collected from 2019 to 2023. The findings? The number of cultures rose by a staggering 580% from 2019 to 2020, followed by 251% in 2021, 46% in 2022, and 7% in 2023. While the growth rate is slowing, the problem is far from contained.

JoAnna Wagner from the Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed that Georgia has detected over 1,300 cases by February 2025. She highlighted a troubling issue—many of the disinfectants historically used in hospitals are ineffective against C. auris. Talk about a stubborn guest refusing to leave.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst and clinical professor at NYU Langone, expressed concern over the fungus, describing it as an "emerging problem of great concern." He detailed its resistance to antifungal drugs and its tendency to spread via hospital equipment, such as ventilators and catheters. Worse yet, its symptoms—fever, chills, and aches—are so common they can easily be mistaken for other infections. That’s like mistaking a tornado for a windy day.

Research efforts are underway to develop effective treatments, but Siegel cautioned that this fungus is part of a larger issue—emerging antibiotic resistance worldwide. He emphasized that sterilization and disinfection measures can help mitigate the spread.

Healthcare facilities in Georgia are now using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified cleaners specifically designed to combat C. auris. Despite its severe threat to vulnerable patients, the CDC reassured that the fungus is “not a threat to healthy people.” A small silver lining, but let’s not breathe easy just yet.

The rapid spread of C. auris has turned it into a wake-up call for hospitals and researchers alike. As the battle against resistant infections intensifies, it’s clear that proactive measures and innovative solutions are the only way forward.