Our Work - 2018
Containing Unusual Resistance
More than 23,000 Americans die each year from infections caused by germs resistant to antibiotics. While antibiotic resistance (AR) threats vary nationwide, AR has been found in every state. And unusual resistance germs, which are resistant to all or most antibiotics tested and are uncommon or carry special resistance genes, are constantly developing and spreading. Lab tests uncovered unusual resistance more than 200 times in 2017 in “nightmare bacteria” alone. Learn more in the current issue of Vital Signs.
CDC helps South Africa investigate listeriosis outbreak
Since November, CDC has been providing technical assistance to the South Africa National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on the world’s largest known outbreak of listeriosis. The outbreak has led to almost 1,000 illnesses and more than 180 deaths since January 2017. NICD conducted interviews of sick people, and product and environmental testing, and found that the outbreak was linked to polony, a type of processed meat.
CDC and Haiti partner to prevent rabies
Approximately 130 people die from rabies in Haiti each year. CDC is working with the Haiti Ministry of Agriculture to prevent more deaths by improving dog vaccination coverage. More than 210,000 dogs have been vaccinated against rabies since the campaign kicked off in October 2017. CDC and partners are utilizing a new strategy, which uses mobile phones to provide daily direction to rabies vaccinators and to track vaccinated dogs.
Multidrug-resistant Salmonella infections linked to dairy calves
CDC has closed its investigation of a multistate outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg infections linked to bull calves. A total of 56 people in 15 states were infected with Salmonella linked to dairy calves. Illnesses could continue because people may not know they could get a Salmonella infection from contact with dairy calves or other cattle. It is important to take steps to stay healthy around cattle.
CDC and public health labs reach milestone
Last month, CDC and public health laboratory partners transitioned from pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)—used for the past 20 years—to whole genome sequencing (WGS) to conduct outbreak surveillance of Listeria. Since 2013, a nationwide Listeria pilot using WGS resulted in more outbreaks being detected with fewer cases compared with older methods like PFGE. Disease detectives identified foods like ice cream, frozen vegetables, and caramel apples as outbreak sources; this information helped to make these foods safer for the public.
MMWR: Outbreak of Campylobacter infections linked to raw milk consumption from herdshare dairy
Frozen shredded coconut linked to outbreak
CDC and state and federal partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to frozen shredded coconut. On January 3, 2018, Evershing International Trading Company recalled all 16 oz. bags of Coconut Tree Brand frozen Shredded Coconut.
CDC recommends retailers not sell, restaurants not serve, and consumers not eat recalled product.
New data in CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Map released
On January 10, CDC released new data in its Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Investment Map showcasing CDC’s activities to slow antibiotic resistance and meet national goals. The updated map for 2018 includes more than 170 state-reported successes in addressing AR problems. These are the first comprehensive reports on state progress made following the first year of Congress’s unprecedented investment in CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative. The map also features printable state- and city-specific fact sheets that describe how CDC invests in activities in those areas.
- Page last reviewed: April 10, 2018
- Page last updated: April 10, 2018
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