Health Alert: “Superbug” In Pakistan
Health Alert: “Superbug” In Pakistan: Researchers have issued warning on the recent rise of typhoid fever in Pakistan due to the presence of highly drug-resistant Superbug. Since 2016 this typhoid strain has been increasing while showing resistant to multiple antibiotics. This worried medical experts till they found out that “Superbug” is behind this bacterial impurity.
The research carried out by the Public Health England in collaboration with Agha Khan University found out high levels of drug resistance in typhoid for the first time in medical history. This also signifies a fact that in Pakistan there are fewer drugs available to effectively treat the infection.
What Is A Typhoid Fever?
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection, spread by contaminated food and water in communities with poor sanitation is highly contagious. Some of the symptoms include
- fever
- stomach pain
- headache
- Constipation or diarrhea
What Is A Super Bug?
A superbug is usually defined as a microorganism that is resistant to commonly used antibiotics but not all superbugs are created equal. If a bug is resistant to every available antibiotic, it would be the “superbug of all superbugs”. World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antibiotic resistance bug as one of the greatest threats facing human health.
Certain actions may accelerate the emergence and spread of Superbug
- Using or misusing antibiotics
- Having poor infection prevention and control practices
- Living or working in unsanitary conditions
- Mishandling food
- Multidrug Resistant (MDR): Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Extended Drug Resistant (EDR): ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae
- Pan Drug Resistant (PDR): biological specimen resistant to more than one first line anti –TB drug, other than both INH and rifampcin
The number of people dying because their infection cannot be treated by any available antibiotic is increasing. Currently, antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause 700,000 deaths worldwide each year. There is no official information available on case numbers or deaths in Pakistan, but local media reports claim more than 800 cases of drug-resistant typhoid were detected in Hyderabad alone over a 10-month period between 2016 and 2017.
Any type of the superbug for example the bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, if left untreated, can be a health disaster.
Precautionary Measures:
Before running for treatment options, medical and health experts suggests preventive mechanism to keep the Super bug away.
- It is advised and strongly recommended to all to be extra vigilant about only eating hot food instead of salads and chaats etc.
- Do not eat uncooked stuff. No market available open yogurt, salads, unwashed or unpeeled vegetables & fruits are recommended.
- Be particularly vary of crockery, cutlery and serving hygiene whilst eating out.
- Wash hands frequently in a day after visiting hospitals or handling money.
- Use alcohol based hand sanitizer.
The bug has now spread till Karachi. You should be super careful to kick the superbug out of your lives for the sake of your health.
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