CRE Superbug Hits Charlotte

CHARLOTTE -- Carolinas Healthcare said one patient in its system died after contracting the CRE superbug in a hospital this year.

CRE is a drug-resistant bacteria that's becoming a growing problem across the country.

CMC said it had three patients contract the superbug in their hospitals since January, and 15 more people have come to the hospital with CRE. One of those three patients that contracted it in the hospitals this year died.

The patients who have CRE are placed in isolation while they are being treated.

Earlier Time Warner Cable News reported that three patients at CMC-Lincolnton were being treated for the bacteria, but today health officials would not confirm where the cases are.

Health officials are seeing a similar number of cases to 2014. They are trying to spread awareness about how to prevent it.

Health officials say handwashing is key and also limiting the use of antibiotics.