Canadian health authorities have voiced concern over a growing number of cases involving a superbug known as CRE, or Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, a highly resistant, potentially deadly bacteria once it enters the bloodstream. The germs' resistance to antibiotics have become a cause of "global worry."

According to a report from The Globe and Mail, in Vancouver, up to 50 percent of people who acquire a CRE infection in their bloodstream die as a result — and can transfer their resistant traits to other bacteria. The germs are spread via the fecal-oral route. So far, CRE is widespread in several countries including India, China, Greece and parts of the United States. It has taken hold primarily as a result of overuse and misuse of antibiotics, the publication added.

While there are few reported cases of CRE in Canada compared to more widely-known superbugs, such as MRSA and C. diff (there were 160 CRE cases, compared to more than 14,000 C. diff cases, for example), the Public Health Agency of Canada expected those numbers to rise, especially as hospitals are keeping a closer eye on the HAI.

There are different types of CREs, including KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase), which has become widespread in the United States since it was first reported in 2001, and NDM (New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase), which was first reported in the U.S. in 2009.

In Canada, where CRE has been monitored for the past few years, KPC is more common in central and eastern Canada while NDM is more common in B.C., according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

The best method for infection prevention is handwashing.