State epidemiologist urges smarter use of antibiotics
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Health officials around the country are facing "potentially catestrophic consequences" if they can't slow the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections. For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control is estimating the toll of those infections, saying they kill 23,000 people a year in the U.S. At least two million Americans fall ill from drug resistant bacteria annually. The new government report relies on data from Minnesota and other states that closely track cases of antibiotic resistant bugs. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Ruth Lynfield, Minnesota's state epidemiologist, about the situation.
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