Superbug Infection Jumps 460% in US: Urgent Threat
Increase in Drug-Resistant ‘superbug’ Infections Linked to Antibiotic Use During COVID-19 Pandemic
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A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights a concerning rise in infections caused by *NDM-CRE*, a highly drug-resistant bacteria, possibly linked to increased antibiotic use during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last updated: September 30,2025,06:10:21
What is NDM-CRE?
NDM-CRE stands for *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae. These bacteria are resistant to carbapenems, a class of antibiotics frequently enough used as a last resort to treat severe infections. The CDC considers NDM-CRE an urgent public health threat due to its high mortality rate. Infections can occur in the bloodstream, lungs, or urinary tract.
The CDC Report and Rising Cases
The CDC report, released this week, details an increase in NDM-CRE infections between 2019 and 2023. A previous report published in June focused on cases in New York City between 2019 and 2024, further indicating a growing trend.Public health officials are concerned because NDM-CRE was previously rare in the United States,meaning medical personnel may not immediately suspect it when treating patients with bacterial infections. The CDC confirmed this increase is threatening to increase the number of infections and deaths related to NDM-CRE.
COVID-19 and Antibiotic Use: A Potential Connection
Neha Nanda, the medical director of the antibiotic stewardship programme at USC Medicine Keck, suggests a connection between the increased use of antibiotics in COVID-19 patients during the early pandemic and the rise in NDM-CRE infections. while antibiotics do not treat viral infections like COVID-19, they were sometimes administered to prevent secondary bacterial infections or were inappropriately prescribed. This widespread antibiotic use may have contributed to the advancement and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria like NDM-CRE.
Changing the Narrative Around Antibiotics
Nanda believes this situation presents an possibility to shift the perception that patients always require antibiotics. She advocates for a more cautious approach to antibiotic prescribing, emphasizing the importance of antibiotic stewardship programs to ensure these medications are used appropriately and only when necessary.