Ongoing Transmission of Candida auris in Health Care Facilities — United States, June 2016–May 2017

In June 2016, CDC released a clinical alert about the emerging, and often multidrug-resistant, fungus Candida auris and later reported the first seven US cases of infection through August 2016. Six of these cases occurred before the clinical alert and were retrospectively identified. As of May 12, 2017, a total of 77 US clinical cases of C. auris had been reported to CDC from seven states. All of these cases were identified through cultures taken as part of routine patient care (clinical cases). Among the 77 clinical cases, median patient age was 70 years (range = 21-96 years), and 55% were male. Epidemiologic links have been found between most cases. Ongoing investigation of US C. auris cases provides epidemiologic and laboratory data suggesting that this fungus can spread within health care facilities and that interventions are needed to prevent transmission during this early stage of C. auris emergence.