Nightmare Bacteria Cases Rising in US Amidst Concerns
Between 2019 and 2023, infection rates from drug-resistant “nightmare bacteria” increased by nearly 70% across 29 states, a new CDC report reveals. The rise was primarily driven by bacteria containing the NDM gene, with cases jumping more than fivefold in recent years, posing a grave danger. These infections, once linked to overseas medical care, now threaten to spread within communities, potentially transforming routine infections into chronic problems. The increase is likely related to the surge in antibiotic use during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current data likely underestimates the true scope of the issue due to incomplete testing and reporting in many states.
John Q. Hosedrinker