Superbug confirmed in 23 states: Where is the deadly fungus spreading in 2026?

Candida auris, a drug-resistant fungus, has been confirmed in 23 U.S. states in 2026, according to new CDC data. First detected in the U.S. in 2016, the pathogen has spread quickly in recent years and is considered a “superbug” in some strains because it resists the medications typically used to treat fungal infections. While healthy people may clear it, the fungus can be deadly in healthcare settings, where it can persist on surfaces and spread through catheters, breathing tubes, or IVs. So far in 2026, nearly half of states have reported cases. Texas leads with more than 700 as of mid-July, followed by Michigan with 503.