Health officials in the US are sounding the alarm over drug-resistant bacteria
5 hours ago
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- #infectious-diseases
- #public-health
- Drug-resistant 'nightmare bacteria' infections in the US rose by nearly 70% between 2019 and 2023.
- Bacteria with the NDM gene, once rare, are now spreading, making even carbapenems (last-resort antibiotics) ineffective.
- Antimicrobial resistance is driven by antibiotic misuse, such as incomplete courses or unnecessary prescriptions.
- US cases of carbapenem-resistant infections increased by 69%, while NDM-gene cases surged by 460%.
- COVID-19 may have worsened resistance due to increased antibiotic use during the pandemic.
- NDM-gene bacteria are also prevalent in South Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, with varying regional risks.
- Common symptoms of carbapenem-resistant infections resemble typical bacterial illnesses, making early detection difficult.
- Global health security is at risk due to the ease of bacterial spread across borders.