WHO Urges Health Experts to Monitor New Superbug

The World Health Organisation on Friday called on health authorities around the globe to monitor a multi-drug resistant superbug that surfaced in South Asia and spread to Britain.

The WHO said research published in The Lancet medical journal on August 11 identified a new gene that enables some types of bacteria to be highly resistant to almost all antibiotics.

'Indian' Superbug may Not be All That Bad Afterall
An expert has revealed that the NDM-1 bacteria, resistant to almost all antibiotics, has been around for three years and may not be as bad as it is thought to be.

"While multi-drug resistant bacteria are not new and will continue to appear, this development requires monitoring and further study to understand the extent and modes of transmission, and to define the most effective measures for control," it added in a statement.

It underlined that the whole health care chain, including patients, hospitals, governments, laboratories, pharmaceutical firms and vetenarians, had "to be alert to the problem of antimicrobial resistance and take appropriate action."

Multi-drug resistant bacteria generally "constitute a growing and global public health problem," the UN health agency noted.

Superbug Does Not Affect Medical Tourism Numbers
The number of patients who flock to India to get treatment continues to rise even after a report published in a leading British medical journal warned about superbugs

It underlined the value of hospital infection control measures to limit the spread of such resistant strains and prudent use of antibiotics to reduce the generation of resistant bacteria.

Rigorous use of such measures, including extensive hand washing in health care facilities, had proved successful in controlling multidrug-resistant bacteria in many countries, according to the global health watchdog.

No Threat from Superbug for Foreign Patients, Say Doctors
A number of hospitals in Gujarat have claimed that it will not affect the inflow of foreigners getting treatment in the country.

Indian doctors warned earlier this year about the threat from a new multi-drug resistant superbug known as NDM-1 -- months before the British study -- warning that it could spread worldwide with patients.

The Lancet study said plastic surgery patients had carried a new class of superbug from South Asia to Britain.

Subcontinent 'Superbug' Resistant to All Known Antibiotics Has Found Its Way to UK Hospitals
Experts have warned that a new superbug that is resistant to even the most powerful antibiotics, has entered UK hospitals.

Source-AFP