Deadly, drug-resistant fungus spreads in MS, 26 other states. Here’s who is at risk
A deadly, drug-resistant fungus has infected more than 7,000 people across 27 U.S. states, including Mississippi, in 2025, according to federal data.
The fungus — called Candida auris — is considered an “emerging infectious disease,” as healthcare providers have seen an increase in cases since 2019, Cleveland Clinic experts said.
Mississippi reported 108 cases of the fungal infection as of Dec. 20, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here’s what to know about the fungal infection in Mississippi.
What is Candida auris, and how do people get it?
Candida auris is a type of yeast infection that spreads rapidly among sick patients in healthcare facilities, CDC experts said.
The fungus can cause anywhere from skin infections to life-threatening bloodstream infections, according to the CDC. It’s difficult to treat as it adapts to drugs designed to kill it, experts said.
C. auris usually affects patients with severe underlying medical conditions and people with invasive medical devices like breathing tubes, feeding tubes and catheters, according to the CDC.
The infection spreads through surfaces and objects and can live on a patient’s skin or body sites even if they don’t have symptoms, CDC experts said.
Healthcare providers and visitors aren’t at risk of becoming infected, experts said.
What are symptoms of Candida auris?
While symptoms of Candida auris don’t always show, some include the following, according to Cleveland Clinic:
- Ear infections
- Wound infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Blood infections that spread to the rest of the body
How can it be prevented?
The CDC recommends healthcare providers take the following steps to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
- Frequent hand cleaning with alcohol-based sanitizer
- Isolation of patients with C. auris
- Constant disinfecting of patients’ rooms
- Wearing gloves and gowns when delivering care
- Cleaning of visitors’ hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Which other states have reported cases of Candida auris?
These are all the states where the infection has spread as of Dec. 20, according to CDC data:
- Pennsylvania
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Ohio
- Wisconsin
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Louisiana
- Texas
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Montana
- Nevada
- Utah
- Wyoming
- California
- Oregon
This story was originally published January 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
