The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning about a drug-resistant, 'superbug' on the rise in the United States that causes diarrhea.
The CDC'sMorbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)on April 9 shows increasing infection rates linked to (XDR) Shigella, a bacterium that causes diarrhea. These bacteria cause an infection known as Shigellosis.
'According to the CDC, Shigella causes around 450,000 infections in the United States each year.'
'Antibiotic resistance is a global issue because antibiotics are overused and used inappropriately around the world,' said William Schaffner, MD, a professor of preventive medicine and professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.'
'In the U.S., clinicians and public health have worked hard to become good stewards of antibiotics, using them carefully,'he told Healthline.
'The CDC analyzed 16,788 Shigella isolates that were collected through Pulse Net between 2011 and 2023.'
'Around 3% (510) of these isolates were identified as XDR. The proportion of XDR isolates changed from 0% during 2011 to 2015 to 8.5% in 2023.'
Shigella bacteria are easily spread. These bacteria appear in feces and fecal matter. Ingesting even just a small amount of Shigella can make you sick.
Also, anything that may become contaminated with fecal matter and feces can potentially spread Shigella.
According to the CDC,'Shigella is spread include: contaminated food or water contact with a person who is sick or has recently been sick with a Shigella infection sexual activity with someone who is sick.'
Source: International Business Times UK
