This New Deadly Fungus is Now Quickly Spreading in MT

BUTTE, MT - A deadly, drug-resistant fungus is making waves across the country, and while Montana hasn’t been hit hard—yet—the trend has health officials urging caution.

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Minnesota is the latest state to raise the alarm, and the warning signs are too big to ignore.

The University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy recently issued a news brief calling on medical professionals and policymakers nationwide to stay vigilant.

The concern? A highly contagious, often fatal fungus called Candida auris (C. auris), which has proven incredibly difficult to treat, clean, or contain.

What is Candida Auris?

C. auris is not your run-of-the-mill fungus.

It’s a drug-resistant yeast that can live on patients and surfaces for weeks, sometimes months, without being detected.

Once it enters the body—especially the bloodstream—it can lead to severe infections with high mortality rates.

Some studies estimate the death rate to be between 30% and 60%, particularly among patients with weakened immune systems or pre-existing conditions.

What makes C. auris especially dangerous is how well it survives routine cleaning protocols in hospitals and nursing homes.

This means it can spread easily in medical settings, from one patient to another, without much warning.

A National Rise in Infections

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 4,514 new cases in 2023 alone—the highest number since the fungus was first identified in the U.S. back in 2016.

While the hardest-hit states include New York, New Jersey, Florida, Nevada, and California (each with more than 1,000 cases), the concern is that smaller outbreaks in low-impact states could explode rapidly, especially given the high amount of out-of-state traffic.

What About Montana?

So far, Montana has seen fewer than 10 cases annually, and we're nowhere near the hot zones.

But that doesn't mean we're in the clear.

As cases rise nationally, rural states like ours—especially those with older populations or understaffed healthcare facilities—could be at increased risk if even a single case goes unnoticed.

Hospitals and long-term care centers in Montana should take note of Minnesota’s proactive stance.

The earlier the preparation, the better the outcome, especially when dealing with something that resists treatment and evades typical disinfection methods.

Why You Should Care

Even if you’re not in a high-risk category, an outbreak in your community could still strain local hospitals, nursing homes, and health resources.

Unlike other infections, Candida auris doesn’t play by the usual rules—it hides, it lingers, and once it gains a foothold, it spreads like wildfire.

We’ve seen what happens when invisible health threats are underestimated. This one might not be on our doorstep yet—but the smart money says we keep the porch light on and the hazmat suit handy.