Washington state records 13 cases of Candida auris fungus
The CDC reports that 13 infections of the drug-resistant yeast Candida auris have been identified in Washington, highlighting ongoing monitoring of the pathogen in health-care settings.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 13 cases of the emerging yeast Candida auris have been confirmed in Washington state as of 2026. The fungus can cause a range of infections, from skin colonization to bloodstream illness, and spreads readily among patients in health-care facilities, especially those with invasive devices such as breathing tubes or catheters.
CDC guidance notes that while some strains are resistant to at least one class of antifungal drugs, treatment options include echinocandin medications. However, a minority of strains show resistance to all three major antifungal classes, and data on effective therapies remain limited. Most individuals who develop invasive Candida auris infections are already seriously ill.
Health officials have not disclosed the specific locations or facilities where the cases were identified. The agency recommends screening patients for colonization by collecting skin swabs, a practice intended to help contain potential spread within health-care environments.
For ongoing updates, the CDC website provides detailed information on Candida auris surveillance and management.