Superbug Has Denver Health Experts On High Alert
DENVER (CBS4)- Denver health experts are on high alert after a Pennsylvania woman became the first human case of a superbug-- resistant to all antibiotics-- in the United States.
"The bacteria is unique because it's the first time we have seen these bacteria in the United States, and it's resistant to the last drug available," said Kaiser Permanente Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Adam Jackson.
The CDC says the superbug was discovered after a 49-year-old woman was treated at an outpatient military facility in Pennsylvania.
"She was seen for a urinary tract infection and the organism, or the bacteria, in the urine, was found to be resistant to colistin," Jackson said.
Jackson says the antibiotic colisitin has been around for decades, but is often used as a last resort because of its strong side effects.
Health officials fear the superbug's resistance to the drug could be just the beginning.
"Antibiotic resistance rarely, if ever, stays in one place, so now that we've seen this bacteria, and we expect to see it elsewhere in the United States," said Jackson.
CDC health officials say the woman had not traveled outside of the country recently, but haven't figured out where the superbug came from and how the patient became infected.
Now, Dr. Tom Frieden, Director of the CDC is urging scientists to develop new drugs before it's too late.
"The medicine cabinet is empty for some patients," Frieden said. "It is the end of the road for antibiotics unless we act urgently."
While Jackson says a new antibiotic to treat the superbug likely won't be created overnight, he says there are steps you can take to keep your family safe.
"Wash your hands, cover your cough, use antibiotics only when necessary, and get immunized," said Jackson.
By CBS4 reporter Andrea Flores