Antibiotic Resistance in Foodborne Germs an Ongoing Public Health Threat: CDC

A recent data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that the antibiotic resistance to germs that cause foodborne illness continues to pose a major public health threat.

According to the data tracked by the federal authorities in 2012, there is a positive as well as a troubling trend regarding antibiotic resistance in foodborne germs. It is estimated that each year in the United States, antibiotic-resistant infections from foodborne germs cause 430,000 illnesses and multi-drug resistant Salmonella from food and other sources cause 100,000 illnesses each year.

Analysis of the recent data revealed that the multi-drug resistant Salmonella dropped in the last 10 years. In 2012, resistance to two major groups of drugs that include cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones remained low.  However, a significant rise of 68 percent in resistance to quinolone drug that is used to treat typhoid fever was noticed. This sudden rise in resistance is a major concern as this is one of the most effective treatments for typhoid fever and may not work in many cases.

Also 1 in every 5 Salmonella Heidelberg infections was resistant to a cephalapsorin drug called ceftriaxone. Previously, Salmonella serotype was linked to the outbreak associated with poultry. Health care specialists will find it challenging to treat severe salmonella infection, especially in children, due to Ceftriaxone resistance. The data was taken from the latest report of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS).

"Our latest data show some progress in reducing resistance among some germs that make people sick but unfortunately we're also seeing greater resistance in some pathogens, like certain types of Salmonella," said Robert Tauxe, M.D., M.P.H, deputy director of CDC's Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases. "Infections with antibiotic-resistant germs are often more severe. These data will help doctors prescribe treatments that work and to help CDC and our public health partners identify and stop outbreaks caused by resistant germs faster and protect people's health."

OregonLive reports that, public can prevent resistance by maintaining hygienic environment at home especially while cooking poultry and meat, washing hands frequently and avoiding cross contamination. Physicians and farmers should consider using antibiotics only when needed.