Antibiotic Resistance--- A Global Threat

A new report by WHO-- It is first to look at anti-microbial resistance including antibiotic resistance, globally--reveals that this serious threat is no longer a prediction for the future, it is happening now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect everyone, of any age, in any country. Antibiotic resistance--- when bacteria change so antibiotics no longer work in people who need to treat infections- is now a major threat to public health. " Without urgent, coordinated action by many stakeholders, the world is headed for a post antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill," says WHO's Assistant Director General Health. The report, "Antimicrobial resistance global report on surveillance" notes that resistance is occurring across many infectious agents but the report focuses on antibiotic resistance in seven different bacteria responsible for common, serious diseases such as bloodstream infections (sepsis), diarrhoea, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and gonorrhoea. The results are for high concerns. The important actions to tackle antibiotic resistance include preventing infections from happening in the first place through better hygiene, access to clean water, infection control in health-care facilities, and vaccination to reduce the need for antibiotics.