Cases of antibiotic resistant superbugs are on the rise, says CDC

In its new report, “Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States 2013,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paints a disturbing picture about the health threat that antibiotic-resistant germs have on human health, especially in older adults. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria can “transfer their resistance to other organisms,” according to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC). According to the CDC nearly half of the people who get Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) bloodstream infections, die from the infection.

CRE is one of the bacteria placed in the CDC’s “urgent” category, with 44 states reporting confirmed cases. An APIC report shows how states are defining, tracking and reporting outbreaks to their state’s department of health. 

The CDC advises four core actions in combating and preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

On the upside, in the same report, the CDC threat report also shows that there has been a significant drop in healthcare-associated MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which often involves pneumonia, infections to the bloodstream and/or surgical sites.

According to the CDC, in 2005 there were 111,261 cases of MRSA nationwide. In 2011, there were a total of 80,461 cases of invasive MRSA, a 47 percent drop.

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.