The worst part of this Salmonella outbreak, is that it is the result of human actions and farming methods that have been contributing to the problem for decades.
Right now, 80% of antibiotics made in the U.S. are fed to factory farmed animals to make them grow faster and larger. 90% of these drugs become part of the manure that's used as fertilizer on vegetables, and eventually end up in our food. So bacteria have countless opportunities to be exposed to low levels of these drugs, at concentrations that don't kill them but help them become resistant. And when humans show up to hospitals with resistant infections, these drugs no longer work.
From the Centers for Disease Control:
Right now, 80% of antibiotics made in the U.S. are fed to factory farmed animals to make them grow faster and larger. 90% of these drugs become part of the manure that's used as fertilizer on vegetables, and eventually end up in our food. So bacteria have countless opportunities to be exposed to low levels of these drugs, at concentrations that don't kill them but help them become resistant. And when humans show up to hospitals with resistant infections, these drugs no longer work.
From the Centers for Disease Control:
The best way to stop this cycle of infection is to CUT DOWN ON ANTIBIOTIC USE.