NEW YORK (March 5, 2013)—U.S. health officials report what they say is an alarming increase in some dangerous superbugs at U.S. hospitals.

These superbugs are common germs that have become extremely resistant to treatment with antibiotics.

The number of hospitals reporting infections involving the superbugs is still small, but a government report shows 1 in 25 hospitals reported at least one case last year, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC is urging hospital workers to take steps to keep the germs from spreading.

The dangerous germs can cause pneumonia and urinary tract and bloodstream infections in vulnerable, hospitalized patients.