CDC WARN: Nightmare Bacteria Threatens America!

A surge in drug-resistant ‘nightmare bacteria’ infections threatens public health, highlighting the consequences of past policy failures.

Surge in Drug-Resistant Infections Alarms Health Experts

The United States is facing a dramatic surge in infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, often referred to as “nightmare bacteria.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infection rates from these bacteria have risen nearly 70% between 2019 and 2023. These bacteria, resistant to nearly all available antibiotics, represent a significant public health challenge. The CDC attributes this alarming increase to factors like antibiotic misuse and the spread of resistance genes such as New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM).

COVID-19 Pandemic’s Role in Escalating the Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in exacerbating the spread of drug-resistant infections. Between 2020 and 2022, there was a notable 20% increase in hospital-onset resistant infections, peaking in 2021. This surge reversed the previous progress made in combating antimicrobial resistance. The pandemic led to increased antibiotic use, often inappropriately, and overwhelmed healthcare systems, which contributed to this rise. The CDC released updated data in July 2024, confirming the continued elevated infection rates.

Urgency for Improved Antibiotic Stewardship and Treatment Options

With the emergence of resistance genes like NDM, which confer resistance to nearly all antibiotics, the urgency for improved antibiotic stewardship and infection control is more pressing than ever. Only two expensive intravenous antibiotics remain effective against some strains of these bacteria, highlighting the limited treatment options available. Experts emphasize the need for better management of antibiotic use and the development of new antibiotics to tackle this growing threat. Without significant intervention, the public health crisis posed by drug-resistant bacteria is set to worsen.

Infection rates from drug-resistant “nightmare bacteria” rose almost 70% between 2019 and 2023, according to a new report from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists. https://t.co/YCixwt2ER4

— News4JAX (@wjxt4) September 23, 2025

In the current landscape, stakeholders including healthcare providers, patients, pharmaceutical companies, and policymakers are all affected. The estimated annual cost of treating resistant infections in the U.S. exceeds $4.6 billion, with broader implications for healthcare systems and public trust. As the CDC and other health organizations continue to advocate for better practices and policies, the focus remains on preventing further escalation of this crisis.