CDC Warns Of Nightmare Bacteria
By: Matthew Farrell
Updated: March 7, 2013
ODESSA -- A strain of bacteria called CRE (Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae) which is immune to antibiotics is so deadly that the CDC is dubbing it a 'nightmare bacteria.'
It has affected 15 people since last june and it has a fifty percent mortality rate and the CDC says cases are on the rise.
Most of us have come into contact with bacteria in our lives.
Most of the time though, we can take antibiotics to fight the bacteria.
The CDC is warning now, that a bacteria strain that is immune to antibiotics is on the rise in the US.
"CRE is in a long line of super bugs, if you will, that antibiotics have a hard time invading or taking care of that strain. Our last line of antibiotic defense really is ineffective against certain types of bacteria, in this case CRE," ORMC Chief Nursing Operator Levi Stone says.
So how can a bacteria be immune to our drugs?
As living organisms, they can evolve and, just like humans, develop tolerances.
Unfortunately, science can't keep up with this evolution.
"These superbugs are evolving faster than our antibiotics can keep up. So again, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
This strain has afflicted 15 people since last june and it kills 50% of the people that contract it, and the best way to take care of it is prevention.
"Right now, the best things we have in our arsenal are education and proper hand washing," Stone said.
Hospitals also have to be vigilant against these super bugs, keeping facilities clean and keeping track of patients that have spent time out of the country; specifically those who have had overnight stays in foreign hospitals.
Again, the best way to avoid these deadly strains is to make sure you are keeping up with hygiene and washing your hands properly.
Doctors have seen about 30 of these cases over the past two years and Stone says the 15 cases seen since July, 2012 marks an increase in frequency.
So far, no cases have been reported in the Permian Basin
It has affected 15 people since last june and it has a fifty percent mortality rate and the CDC says cases are on the rise.
Most of us have come into contact with bacteria in our lives.
Most of the time though, we can take antibiotics to fight the bacteria.
The CDC is warning now, that a bacteria strain that is immune to antibiotics is on the rise in the US.
"CRE is in a long line of super bugs, if you will, that antibiotics have a hard time invading or taking care of that strain. Our last line of antibiotic defense really is ineffective against certain types of bacteria, in this case CRE," ORMC Chief Nursing Operator Levi Stone says.
So how can a bacteria be immune to our drugs?
As living organisms, they can evolve and, just like humans, develop tolerances.
Unfortunately, science can't keep up with this evolution.
"These superbugs are evolving faster than our antibiotics can keep up. So again, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
This strain has afflicted 15 people since last june and it kills 50% of the people that contract it, and the best way to take care of it is prevention.
"Right now, the best things we have in our arsenal are education and proper hand washing," Stone said.
Hospitals also have to be vigilant against these super bugs, keeping facilities clean and keeping track of patients that have spent time out of the country; specifically those who have had overnight stays in foreign hospitals.
Again, the best way to avoid these deadly strains is to make sure you are keeping up with hygiene and washing your hands properly.
Doctors have seen about 30 of these cases over the past two years and Stone says the 15 cases seen since July, 2012 marks an increase in frequency.
So far, no cases have been reported in the Permian Basin
