CDC makes progress in fighting ‘nightmare bacteria’—but asks for more help from hospitals, physicians
At the start of 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established a network of laboratories to hasten the identification of and response to so-called “nightmare bacteria,” because they are nearly impossible to treat with antibiotics.
The CDC found the effort successful—1,400 people tested positive for such germs, which was more than expected, but each case provided health officials with additional information about control and treatment measures.
"Because of the additional testing capacity that we have, we have found a lot of these scary bacteria around the country but we've found them in ones and twos and not everywhere," said CDC Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, MD. "So there's a chance to keep them from becoming widespread."
The CDC encourages increase participation from hospitals and physicians across the country as a means of fighting such antibiotic-resistant strains.
Read more at NPR and hear an interview on the program “All Things Considered” below:
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.