1/13/2026 Public Health Education Topic: CRE/CRO/CPO
- Health Department
- 4 days ago
- 1 min read
Per CDC:
Key points
People and animals can get carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections.
CRE infections can be prevented.
Signs and symptoms
Pneumonia
Bloodstream infections
Urinary tract infections
Wound infections
Meningitis
Who is at risk
Patients in healthcare settings are at most risk for CRE, especially those who:
Require devices like ventilators (breathing machines), urinary (bladder) catheters, or intravenous (vein) catheters.
Are taking long courses of certain antibiotics.
Have weakened immune systems.
Healthy people usually do not get CRE infections.
How it spreads
Person-to-person contact from dirty hands, wounds, or stool (poop).
Contaminated medical equipment and devices.
A few reports described spread between animals and humans and animal-to-animal spread.
In some cases, people or animals can carry the germs on or in their body without being infected, known as colonization.
Reducing risk
Take antibiotics exactly as your healthcare provider recommends.
Follow patient safety tips in healthcare settings.
Keep your hands clean.
To learn more, please visit: About Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) | CRE | CDC
Printable Patient FAQ pdf - WV OEPS:
