The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday that it is tracking the rise in stomach-related illnesses caused by infection with “drug-resistant” bacteria.
The CDC warned that such bacteria represent a “serious public health threat”.
The center stated that there are indications that the percentage of cases of “Shigella” bacteria, which are resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, has begun to rise sharply across the country.
The “Shigella” bacteria is often spread through contaminated food and water, or through surfaces, and symptoms of the disease include fever and diarrhea.
For patients with drug-resistant infections who need to be treated with antibiotics, doctors must look for a range of options that are largely untested or not usually available.
According to the center’s data, 148 cases of drug-resistant bacteria outbreaks have been reported, 39 percent of which have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported, CBS News reported.