U.S. health officials warn of a dramatic rise in infections from the highly drug-resistant “nightmare bacteria” NDM.
CDC Report Highlights Alarming Increase
U.S. scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report on infections caused by NDM bacteria, which exhibit exceptional resistance to drugs, including carbapenem antibiotics crucial for treating severe infections. Due to its properties, NDM is also called the “nightmare bacteria.” The report found that between 2019 and 2023, cases of NDM infections in the United States surged by 460%. In 2023, the U.S. recorded 4,341 cases of carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections, with 1,831 involving NDM. The data was compiled from 29 states conducting relevant research and reporting carbapenem-resistant bacteria.
Experts Warn of Severe Threat
David Weiss, an infectious disease researcher at Emory University, stated that “the rise in NDM infections in the U.S. poses a serious threat and is deeply concerning.” Scientists believe the scale of the problem may be even larger, as many people are likely undiagnosed carriers of drug-resistant bacteria. Additionally, many states do not conduct research to detect NDM bacteria.
Link to COVID-19 Pandemic
Some experts suggest the increase in NDM infections may be linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know that during the pandemic, there was a massive surge in antibiotic use, which likely contributed to rising drug resistance,” wrote Dr. Jason Burnham, a researcher at the University of Washington.
NDM Infections in Poland
Cases of bacteria with the “super-resistance gene” have also been reported in Poland, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2021, it was announced that three COVID-19 patients hospitalized at a temporary hospital in Ciechocinek were found to have NDM bacteria. One of the patients died.
