A superbug is a type of bacteria that is broadly resistant to antibiotics, including colistin, now an antibiotic of last resort. A review of media articles published over the last few months indicates that superbugs have arrived in the U.S. Whether this threat will expand quickly, slowly, or at all is unknown. It is a sobering possible threat that you may wish to keep your eye on.

ISSUE: Should we be concerned about the emergence of superbugs?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues. For those interested in this issue, the following articles will get you started on your research. This month we are not designating Pro and Con articles, but rather presenting you with a sampling of related articles that have appeared during the past few months.

The superbug that doctors have been dreading just reached the U.S. (5/27/16)
by Lena H. Sun and Brady Dennis
The Washington Post

CDC announces 4th superbug case in US patient (9/9/16)
by Susan Scutti, CNN
CNN

Society and superbugs: Losing ‘one of the most serious infectious disease threats of our time’ (10/2/16)
by Trent Gillies
CNBC

Health officials find first cases of new superbug in US (11/4/16)
by Sharon Begley
Fox News

Scientists have used bacteria to kill antibiotic-resistant superbugs (11/25/16)
by BEC Crew
Science Alert

A Terrifying Superbug Just Showed Up on a US Farm for the First Time (12/7/16)
by Tom Philpott
Mother Jones

Superbugs killing twice as many people as government says (12/12/16)
by Madlen Davies
Nation of change

To review past ISSUES, visit the Special Update eReport Archives.