Deadly Bacteria Spreading Across U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control has identified more than 220 strains of what they call “nightmare bacteria” that can kill up to 50% of the people who catch them. “I…
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 05: A sign with the logo for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the Tom Harkin Global Communications Center on October 5, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. The first confirmed Ebola virus patient in the United States was staying with family members at The Ivy Apartment complex before being treated at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. State and local officials are working with federal officials to monitor other individuals that had contact with the confirmed patient. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesThe Centers for Disease Control has identified more than 220 strains of what they call “nightmare bacteria” that can kill up to 50% of the people who catch them.
“I never ever thought that I would end up getting MRSA,” said Sandra Jankowski, who believes she was infected while caring for her father at a nursing home. “He had small scrapes and other things, which meant what was there in his system was sort of out there for all the rest of us,” she said.
Jankowski contracted MRSA in her eyes and she underwent treatment for months. “It's much more rampant than we realize and very difficult to get rid of,” Jankowski said.
She was lucky, because her infection eventually responded to drugs. But the CDC announced Tuesday that researchers have identified more than 220 strains nationwide that don't respond to drugs.
