Citing Drug Resistance, U.S. Restricts More Antibiotics for Livestock.

ANTIBIOTICS; DRUG resistance; ANIMAL health; ANIMAL industry laws; MEDICAL laws

WASHINGTON -- Federal drug regulators announced on Wednesday that farmers and ranchers must restrict their use of a critical class of antibiotics in cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys because such practices may have contributed to the growing threat in people of bacterial infections that are resistant to treatment. The medicines are known as cephalosporins and include brands like Cefzil and Keflex. They are among the most common antibiotics prescribed to treat pneumonia, strep throat, and skin and urinary tract infections. Surgeons also often use them before surgery, and they are particularly popular among pediatricians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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