CDC issues antibiotic-resistance threat report

More than 35,000 U.S. deaths each year result from antibiotic-resistant infections and thousands more die from Clostridioides difficile, according to the latest report on antibiotic resistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite “dedicated prevention and infection control efforts,” the agency emphasizes, “[m]ore action is needed to fully protect people.” The report highlights estimated infections and deaths since the 2013 report, actions taken to address the problem and gaps in progress. The report also lists 18 antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi it deems “urgent,” “serious” or “concerning” and includes a watch list of three threats that could become common without a continued aggressive prevention strategy.