U.S. health officials back $30 million proposal for fighting antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/04/u-s-health-officials-back-30-million-proposal-for-fighting-antibiotic-resistant-superbugs/



U.S. health officials back $30 million proposal for fighting antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’
By Agence France-Presse
Tuesday, March 4, 2014 16:16 EST

Some $30 million proposed by President Barack Obama could help hospitals fight the growing problem of antibiotic resistance much the way Britain has, U.S. health authorities said Tuesday.

The extra funds for fiscal year 2015, if approved by Congress, would double the amount spent on efforts to cut back on overprescribing of antibiotics, a widespread trend that experts agree is contributing to dangerous superbugs and untreatable infections worldwide.

The money would help “establish a robust infrastructure that can detect antibiotic resistance threats and protect patients and communities,” said Tom Frieden, chief of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The goal is to reduce deadly infections that are often picked up by patients in hospital and long-term care settings by half in five years, he said.



unhappycamper comment: I hope they also look at antibiotics being administered to animals.