Every year, the United States faces microbial pathogen outbreaks caused by amoebas, bacteria, and other microorganisms. These outbreaks manifest in a variety of diseases, ranging from gastrointestinal distress to brain-eating amoebae. As mentioned in my previous article, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gathers data on infections resulting in hospitalizations and provides access to this data for the public. The CDC offers the BEAM dashboard for bacterial, enteric, amoebic, and mycotic (BEAM) infections.

Salmonella

The BEAM dashboard assists individuals residing in or visiting the United States in calculating risks ranging from swimming in freshwater to eating undercooked animal products such as eggs, meat, or raw dairy. For example, in 2023 Salmonella species caused approximately 50,000 reportable infections across the United States, with the highest number of cases occurring in August. Using the map feature, we also learned over twenty-five percent of infections in Texas were antibiotic-resistant to a clinically significant degree. This means that those infected required medical intervention beyond the standard treatment protocol.

Dysentery

Similarly, although we no longer live in the 19th century nor travel along the Oregon Trail by wagon, dysentery remains a concern in parts of the United States. Dysentery results in severe diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and, in five percent of all cases, death. In 2023, 1500 people in California became ill from Shigella bacteria, the causative agent of dysentery, with ninety-nine percent of cases exhibiting significant antibiotic resistance. Humans contract dysentery from contaminated water supplies, unwashed produce, infected individuals, and contaminated nonfood substances such as soil, if ingested. This information from the BEAM dashboard provides visitors to the region the impetus to increase mindful hygiene practices and avoid consuming unpurified water or soil. This is helpful to mothers with young children at the developmental stage of putting everything in their mouths, which helps prevent families from contracting the disease.

Learn More

As mentioned, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) gathers data on infections resulting in hospitalizations and provides access to this data for the general public. One of the locations where this information is compiled is the BEAM dashboard. This dashboard is excellent for protecting children and adults by assisting in data-driven decision-making, and can also be useful for students, healthcare professionals, and teachers. All data from the CDC is available to download for independent analysis, which can be helpful during uncertain times.

 Editor: Lucy Cafiero