These are the 4 most urgent superbugs spreading in the US this winter

Dangerous, drug-resistant superbugs continue to be an urgent problem in the United States, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC identified 19 pathogens, responsible for 9.7 million infections and 50,800 deaths a year, as well as six others that are being monitored.

The four superbugs deemed “urgent threats” include Candida auris, Acinetobacter and Enterobacterales and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

These bacteria often spread in medical settings, like hospitals and clinics, accounting for more than 42,000 deaths and nearly $12 billion in healthcare costs, according to the report.

The threat is projected to worsen with researchers projecting 317,000 annual deaths from superbugs in North America by 2050.

“Antimicrobial resistance threatens modern medicine and puts millions of Americans at risk every year,” CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz said. These are the most urgent threats, according to the CDC.

Candida auris

Candida auris, or C. auris, is a deadly fungus that has led to more than 6,700 infections across the U.S. this year. Since 2019, the number of clinical cases has increased nearly tenfold.

The pathogen typically spreads in hospitals and long-term care facilities, putting patients with serious underlying health conditions at the greatest risk .

The fungus can spread to the body through medical devices, but also by touching contaminated objects and surfaces. It can survive there for weeks, the CDC says.

Infections after exposure can cause organ failure, sepsis and shock, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

While C. auris infections have contributed to deaths, the exact number is hard to pinpoint because most patients already have other serious health problems.

Patients infected with C. auris must be isolated and those around them should wear protective gear and disinfect surfaces.

CRAB

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter, also known as CRAB, can cause deadly bacterial infections and large outbreaks among hospitalized patients and nursing home residents, according to the CDC.

Cases can spread through touching infected objects, surfaces and from person to person, and lead to blood, lung, wound and urinary tract infections. People on ventilators and those with open wounds from surgery or with catheters are at greatest risk.

CRAB cases appeared to be declining in U.S. hospitals from 2012-2017 but since then the number of infections have risen. There were an estimated 9,497 cases and 817 deaths in 2023, leading to more than $355 million in healthcare costs, the new report shows.

People can protect themselves from CRAB by regularly washing their hands with warm water and soap and disinfecting surfaces.

CRE

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, or CRE, is another life-threatening bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, as well as the same infections as CRAB.

People who require ventilators or catheters, have weakened immune systems or are on certain antibiotics long-term are at a greater risk for CRE, the CDC says.

There were an estimated 14,878 cases in hospitalized patients in 2023, the new report shows, and 1,252 died due to infections, leading to more than $174 million in healthcare costs.

The bacteria can spread from person-to-person through dirty hands, wounds or stools, as well as by touching contaminated medical equipment and devices.

“With recent, rapid increases in carbapenemase-producing CRE (CP-CRE), more people may develop CRE infections and deaths may increase,” the report warns.

People can protect themselves from CRE by frequently washing their hands with warm water and soap, disinfecting surfaces and wearing protective equipment when necessary.

Gonorrhea

There are 787,000 cases of the sexually-transmitted bacterial infection gonorrhea each year in the U.S., resulting is more than $214 million in healthcare costs.

Infections can lead to infertility, increase the risk of getting and giving HIV and result in rare complications. Some women with infections may develop an inflammatory disease in their reproductive system and those who are pregnant could be at risk of a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.

Infections can occur when someone has sex with a person who has the infection without using a condom. Infections can also spread to infants during childbirth.

People can protect themselves from gonorrhea by using a condom during sex and talking with partners about their sexual history.

The rest

The report also identified 13 additional pathogens as “serious threats” that require prompt and sustained action, including some that are regularly in the news, such as drug-resistant Shigella, C. diff, nontyphoidal Salmonella and Staph.

Cases of sexually-transmitted Shigella are rising in the U.S. this year, with infections leading to bloody diarrhea, dysentery, seizures, blood infections and even death.

Salmonella infections have sickened dozens of people following exposure to contaminated shellfish, eggs, jalapeños and alfalfa sprouts over the past few months.