Illinois reports over 350 cases of drug-resistant Candida auris infection
CDC data show more than 3,000 Candida auris cases nationwide this year, with Illinois accounting for over 350, making it one of the states with the highest numbers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that at least 3,182 cases of the drug-resistant yeast Candida auris have been confirmed in the United States so far this year. Illinois has recorded 379 confirmed infections, placing it among the states with the highest incidence.
Candida auris, which has been present in the U.S. for several years, primarily spreads in health-care facilities and poses a particular risk to patients with breathing tubes, feeding tubes, urinary catheters or intravenous lines. The organism can survive on surfaces for extended periods, allowing it to be transmitted even by individuals who are not infected.
The infection is resistant to at least one class of antifungal drugs, complicating treatment. The CDC advises rapid detection, screening programs and strict infection-control practices in medical settings to curb further spread. Reported symptoms include chills, extreme fatigue, fever, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate and ear pain, though manifestations vary depending on the infection site.
Other states with notable case counts include Texas, with more than 700 infections, and Michigan, with 518 confirmed cases.