Deadly, drug-resistant fungus spreading in Texas. Here’s who is at risk

A deadly, drug-resistant fungus has infected more than 27 states in the last year, including Texas.

It’s called Candida auris. Since its emergence in the U.S. in 2016, the fungus has had a 34 percent mortality rate between 2016 and 2022, according to data from the Center for Disease Control, which now considers C. auris as a notifiable infectious disease.

As of Dec. 27, 2025 Texas reported 830 clinical cases of the fungal infection for that year.

Here’s what to know about Candida auris in Texas.

What is Candida auris?

Candida auris is a yeast infection common in sick patients at healthcare facilities.

C. auris can cause both skin or bloodstream infections. The fungus commonly enters the body through pathways via medical devices like catheters, breathing or feeding tubes.

What makes it drug resistant is its ability to resist antifungal medications.

“The fungus develops the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill it,” according to the CDC. “That means the germs are not killed and continue to grow.”

How do people get infected with Candida auris?

Sick patients who are in health care facilities are most at risk.

Oftentimes, patients can carry C. auris without knowing and spread the fungus among surfaces, infecting other sick patients.

Visitors and healthcare workers are not normally at risk since the disease spreads through openings via medical devices.

Candida auris symptoms

The CDC says that C. auris doesn’t have a common set of symptoms. However, like other infectious funguses, fever and chills may be the result of a C. auris infection.

The Cleveland Clinic adds wound infections and blood infections, like a urinary tract infection, can be symptoms.

How can Candida auris be prevented?

Healthcare providers can take extra steps to prevent C. auris from spreading.

• Frequent proper hand cleaning with soap and water for healthcare providers and visitors. 
• Place C. auris patients in separate rooms with those who aren’t at risk. 
• Keep clean room and re-clean with disinfectants. 
• Wear gloves. 

This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 2:22 PM.

Ella Gonzales

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.