Killer Fungus Candida Auris Spreads to 27 US States; Drug-Resistant Threat Rises

• Candida Auris, a deadly drug-resistant fungus, has spread to 27 US states, infecting at least 7,000 people in 2025, with cases nearing last year's record.
• First reported in the US in 2016, this invasive yeast causes severe infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals, with some strains being 'superbugs'.
• Symptoms like fever or chills are non-specific and vary by infection site (blood, wounds, ears), making diagnosis challenging as there's no unique symptom set.
• Treatment is difficult as some C. auris strains are resistant to all three main classes of antifungal medicines, including echinocandins, leaving patients vulnerable.
• Scientists suggest climate change contributes to the fungus's spread and adaptation, allowing it to survive higher temperatures and potentially thrive in the human body.

Why It Matters: Deadly, drug-resistant Candida Auris fungus is rapidly spreading across the US, posing a significant health threat.