The January, 2012 newsletter for the Save Antibiotics campaign includes the latest news on a new FDA measure, a new story about Ruby, a baby affected by foodborne illness, and an update on our growing group of 43,800 supporters.
FDA Takes Measures to Preserve Affectiveness of Cephalosporins
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an updated rule that will limit the uses of cephalosporins in food animal production. This restriction is a victory for human health as it will help ensure this critically important class of antibiotics will continue to work to treat life-threatening infections today and in the future. Click for the press release with more information on the new cephalosporin rule.
If you have not done so already, please take a moment and tell the FDA to finalize the cephalosporin rule to keep these critical drugs protected from overuse and misuse on industrial farms.
Ruby's Story: A Family Affected by Foodborne Illness
Normally an active and happy baby, Ruby started to show signs of illness, including a fever, little interest in eating, lethargy, and constant diarrhea. After several visits to doctors' offices and no sign of improvement, urinalysis and blood tests were ordered. The next day, Ruby's mom answered a phone call, and the nurse on the other end said, “Get Ruby to the hospital now! She has bacteria in her blood and needs antibiotics … Take her there immediately!”
It turns out Ruby had acquired a strain of Salmonella Heidelberg from eating ground turkey. The strain was resistant to several antibiotics. Luckily, her doctor chose to treat her with an appropriate cephalosporin. Had the strain Ruby acquired been resistant to this medication, her story might be one of death rather than survival.
Our Supporters Continue to Grow
We have recruited over 43,800 supporters interested in ending the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in food animal production. More than 21,200 supporters like us on Facebook and another 20,500 follow us on Twitter.
Thanks so much for your support and please continue to spread the word to your networks!
If you are a blogger and need more information on the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming, please contact Josh Wenderoff.