Presidential Response

On Thursday, September 18, President Barrack Obama issued an Executive Order which created a Task Force with the Mission to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in response to this report published by the President’s Advisory Council (PAC) on Science and Technology. The CDC estimates that there are have been over 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the United States.

Culprit Bacteria

The PAC report outlines a 5-step plan to combat these specific pathogens:

• Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriacea
• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
• Ceftriaxone-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhea
• Clostridium difficle

The CDC also includes Extended-Spectrum Beta Lactamase producing Enterobacteriacea, Multi-Drug Resistant Salmonella, and Pseudomonas on its list of pathogens to target.

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