Superbacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics have become a real threat to human health and life. Scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) and an international group of specialists have concluded that these superbacteria kill about 569,000 people in the Americas every year. This represents 43% of the total number of deaths from infections in this part of the world.
The problem of antibiotic resistance is becoming increasingly serious and requires immediate action. Unless action is taken to combat these super microbes, the global health crisis could move into an uncontrollable phase, scientists warn. Superbacteria are already killing people faster than HIV or malaria.
Researchers analyzed data collected as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project, which is conducted by WHO, the American institute IHME and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project involves specialists from different countries and research centers. To estimate the prevalence of superbacteria and their consequences, scientists examined data on cases of infection with 23 of the most common bacterial infections collected by health services in 35 countries in the Americas in 2019.
The results of the study showed that superbacteria are responsible for many deaths in America. About 569,000 people die each year from infections caused by these microbes. This represents 43% of the total number of deaths from infections in the Americas. Among the causes of death associated with superbacteria, respiratory infections and blood poisoning are particularly prominent.
However, most of these deaths are associated with just six varieties of superbacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics. These are strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus aureus, Pseudomonas bacillus, and bacteria of the Acinetobacter baumanni and Klebsiella pneumoniae species that cause respiratory infections.
The situation with the spread of superbacteria varies across the Americas. Haiti, Bolivia, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras and Guatemala have the most deaths from these pathogens. In these countries, superbacteria are the third cause of premature death after heart disease and cancer. However, in Canada, the United States, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Cuba, Panama and Venezuela, superbacteria kill far fewer people.
The problem of antibiotic resistance requires a comprehensive approach and immediate action. Scientists and experts declare the need to create and implement new measures to fight these supermicrobes. Otherwise, the public health crisis could spiral out of control.
