11/08/2010
Superbug Spreads To The UK
British scientists are concerned a new superbug has entered into UK hospitals.
37 patients from the UK, who travelled to India or Pakistan for medical or cosmetic procedures, have already been reported according to a report in medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
A new enzyme called New Delhi-Metallo-1 (NDM-1), is now widespread in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and could spread worldwide.
NDM-1 enables bacteria to be highly resistant to almost all antibiotics which makes them virtually indestructible.
The bug is even resistant to the class of antibiotics known as Carbapenems which are reserved for use when all other antibiotics have failed.
Professor Timothy Walsh said in the report: "This multi-drug resistant bacteria and its worldwide spread could herald a period in which antibiotics become redundant.
"If it continues the possibility exists where many countries will be back to the pre-antibiotic era of the 20s.
"It is likely NDM-1 will spread worldwide."
The Department of Health said they are working with the Health Protection Agency on the issue and will take appropriate action where necessary.
(CD/GK)
37 patients from the UK, who travelled to India or Pakistan for medical or cosmetic procedures, have already been reported according to a report in medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
A new enzyme called New Delhi-Metallo-1 (NDM-1), is now widespread in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and could spread worldwide.
NDM-1 enables bacteria to be highly resistant to almost all antibiotics which makes them virtually indestructible.
The bug is even resistant to the class of antibiotics known as Carbapenems which are reserved for use when all other antibiotics have failed.
Professor Timothy Walsh said in the report: "This multi-drug resistant bacteria and its worldwide spread could herald a period in which antibiotics become redundant.
"If it continues the possibility exists where many countries will be back to the pre-antibiotic era of the 20s.
"It is likely NDM-1 will spread worldwide."
The Department of Health said they are working with the Health Protection Agency on the issue and will take appropriate action where necessary.
(CD/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.