The US has reported its first - ever case of antibiotic resistant infection after a woman was found to be infected with a strain of E.coli that tested positive for resistance to cocaine , the antibiotic of last resort . While the infected woman has since recovered , officials fear that , if resistance spreads , the country could see the emergence of superbugs that can not be treated by any known antibiotic . But it was brought back as other antibiotics began losing their effectiveness. Colistin is an old antibiotic that was reintroduced when newer drugs became less effective . Resistance to the drug has previously been reported in humans and animals in Canada , China , and Europe . Dr. Tom Frieden , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) said , “ It is the end of the road for antibiotics unless we act urgently . ”
The US has reported its first - ever case of antibiotic resistant infection after a woman was found to be infected with a strain of E.coli that tested positive for resistance to cocaine , the antibiotic of last resort . While the infected woman has since recovered , officials fear that , if resistance spreads , the country could see the emergence of superbugs that can not be treated by any known antibiotic . Colistin is an old antibiotic that was reintroduced when newer drugs became less effective . Resistance to the drug has previously been reported in humans and animals in Canada , China , and Europe . Dr. Tom Frieden , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) said , “ It is the end of the road for antibiotics unless we act urgently . ”