Bacteria That Won't Die

New research provides the first clear evidence that using antibiotics to promote livestock growth raises a frightening public health threat - a bacteria that can't be killed.

"The ultimate danger is that this particular bacterium is resistant to all available drugs and this means it cannot be treated when it causes infections in humans," according to Henrik Wegener, Danish veterinary laboratory.

The bacteria Wegener traced is one of the biggest sources of hospital infections in the United States. And while we've never used the antibiotic that caused the problem in Europe, the Centers for Disease Control says there are plenty of other drugs being fed to livestock that can cause similar problems.

Dr. Mitchell Cohen of the CDC said, "Antibiotic resistance is increasing in a number of organisms in this country and we have to really focus on more prudent antibiotic use in both humans and animals."

A case in point is a new multi drug-resistant form of salmonella that was found in antibiotic-fed dairy cattle and caused outbreaks in California, Washington, Nebraska, and Vermont.

The CDC says that 13 percent of campylobacter, a bacteria rampant poultry, is drug resistant.

Antibiotic makers are concerned about the potential for antibiotic resistance but say they are following guidelines laid down by the Food and Drug Administration.

The CDC says there is no question antibiotic use on the farm is the driving force in the appearance of these drug resistant bacteria. This new study should be a wake up call that if we misuse antibiotics, we may lose them forever.

To view John Roberts full report, click above.

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