Superbug Gene

Brooke Edmonds

September, 16, 2010

8:08pm

Tokyo Japan has just recently confirmed its first case of new superbug gene that allows bacteria microorganisms to become drug resistant. It was detected in a Japanese man who had received medical treatment in India. Many researchers say the gene, NDM-1, alters bacteria making them resistant to nearly all known antibiotics. excessive use and proper use of antibiotics has caused this to be a problem and led to the growth of superbugs. This is not a new situation but has the potential to be a worldwide public health problem. According to a widely publicized report in the British medical journal Lancet, “coordinated international surveillance is needed.” After they found this superbug the health ministry launched a survey nationwide asking health officials to check for evidence of more infections in hospitals and health clinics. Other countries along with India that have detected the new superbug gene are Australia, Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the U.K. Governments are recommended to watch areas by surveillance, rational antibiotic use, stop sales of antibiotics without prescription, and rigorous infection prevention.

When I read this article I was not really surprised that superbugs are developing since people have been abusing and misusing antibiotics for many years. This could be a scary epidemic because when the superbug becomes resistant to bacteria, no antibiotic will work to fight it off. The U.K. Governments have been told to start watching different areas for the use of antibiotics because this superbug scare could worsen if usage is not monitored. The writer of this article did a good job covering all the facts and information of this news story, but more information on what individuals could do to prevent themselves from getting the superbug would have be useful.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/07/superbug-gene-case-confir_n_707438.html