Multi-drug resistant bacteria are not a new or fleeting development, but a recent article in The Lancet Infectious Diseases has drawn attention to a new gene that allows certain types of bacteria to be resistant to nearly all antibiotics. This information requires monitoring and the WHO strongly advises governments to focus infectious control and prevention efforts in four main areas:
– surveillance for antimicrobial resistance;
– rational antibiotic use, including education of healthcare workers and the public in the appropriate use of antibiotics;
– introducing or enforcing legislation related to stopping the selling of antibiotics without prescription; and
– strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures, including the use of hand-washing measures, particularly in healthcare facilities.
Read the WHO news release on antimicrobial resistance.
