CDC Reports Sharp Rise in Drug-Resistant 'Nightmare Bacteria'

Infections from a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria known as Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are rising in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in September 2025. Sometimes called "nightmare bacteria," these germs are resistant to carbapenems, a class of antibiotics often used as a last resort for serious infections. This resistance makes infections—which include pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections—difficult to treat and potentially deadly. Almost all CRE infections occur in people receiving significant medical care in settings like hospitals and long-term care facilities.

indiatimes.com reported, A recent CDC report highlighted a dramatic surge in a specific type of CRE that produces an enzyme called New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM). Between 2019 and 2023, the rate of NDM-producing CRE infections increased by 460 percent. This specific strain is concerning because the enzyme makes the bacteria resistant to nearly all available antibiotics, leaving very few treatment options. In 2020, CRE was responsible for an estimated 12,700 infections and 1,100 deaths in the U.S. The CDC has stated that reversing this trend will require collaboration between healthcare facilities and public health departments to improve surveillance and infection control.