Deadly Superbug Appearing In Southern California Health Care Facilities

As if the threat of a tsunami or nuclear radiation wasn’t scary enough, now Southern California has a deadly superbug to worry about!

According to a new study, bacteria thought to be rare on the West Coast is appearing in large numbers in Southern California.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health has reported 356 cases of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) in seven months last year.

While it is not known how many people died from infection, previous outbreaks in other states show a 35% death rate. Sadly, only one antibiotic is available to fight the bacteria, but doesn’t always work and can cause kidney damage.

This is the first time CRKP has been observed in the Los Angeles area with an “unexpectedly high” infection rate found exclusively in health care facilities like hospitals or nursing homes.

It doesn’t sound like officials know much about this mysterious rise in infections from the bacteria either, as study authors said:

“We do not know if the presence of CRKP in these long-term acute care settings is the result of improper care, or has more to do with the population they serve.”

Great. Just great.

All we know is that those staying, working, or visiting in hospitals can lower their risk of infection by washing their hands frequently!

[Image via AP Images.]