Superbug in Mid-Missouri

A superbug that is growing resistant to the strongest antibiotics has been discovered in patients in Mid-Missouri. St. Mary’s Health Center in Jefferson City had one confirmed case in February. The staff there isolated the patient, who ran a high fever, and after running a urine test- tested positive for the lethal germs called carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE. Most cases are contained in hospital and nursing home settings, as reported by the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) in 42 states, including Missouri. The infectious prevention nurse at St. Mary’s said over the past three years, they have seen 3-4 patients with the bug, and they were all patients who have transferred from other hospitals.According to Jacki Glover, none have died from the lethal germ and there are different type of the bug. The reason CRE can be lethal is that it can cause infections that fight off all or almost all antibiotics that are available today, making them un-treatable, according to the CDC release on March, 5, 2013. People who are most vulnerable are inpatient medical care, such as hospitals and nursing homes, said the CDC. Glover said ways to make sure loved ones in long-term care have less chances of exposure is to remove intrusive instruments, such as ventilators, urinary catheters, or intravenous catheters (IV) when possible. The CDC says most healthy people usually do not get CRE infections. Glover further adds that the way to best prevent the spread of any germs is good old fashioned hand washing.