Antibiotics

See the following -

When We Lose Antibiotics, Here’s Everything Else We’ll Lose Too

Maryn McKenna | Wired | November 20, 2013

This week, health authorities in New Zealand announced that the tightly quarantined island nation — the only place I’ve ever been where you get x-rayed on the way into the country as well as leaving it — has experienced its first case, and first death, from  a strain of totally drug-resistant bacteria. From the New Zealand Herald: Read More »

WHO Sounds Alarm On Widespread 'Superbug' Infections

Kim Painter | USA Today | April 30, 2014

Disease-causing bacteria that resist antibiotic treatment are now widespread in every part of the world and have reached "alarming levels" in many areas, says the first global report on the issue from the World Health Organization. Read More »

WHO Warns Against 'Post-Antibiotic' Era

Sara Reardon | Nature | April 30, 2014

The 'post-antibiotic' era is near, according to a report released today by the World Health Organization (WHO). The decreasing effectiveness of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents is a global problem, and a surveillance system should be established to monitor it, the group says. Read More »

WHO’s First Global Report On Antibiotic Resistance Reveals Serious, Worldwide Threat To Public Health

Press Release | World Health Organization (WHO) | April 30, 2014

A new report by WHO–its first to look at antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistance, globally–reveals that this serious threat is no longer a prediction for the future, it is happening right now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect anyone, of any age, in any country. [...] Read More »

Why Antibiotic Makers Aren't Worried About FDA's Livestock Rules

Venessa Wong | Bloomberg Businessweek | December 12, 2013

In a move to alleviate concerns about overuse of antibiotics on farms, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued new guidance directing at animal pharmaceutical companies to phase out the use of certain drugs to promote weight gain in animals. But this won’t mean drug-free livestock [...]. Read More »

World Health Organization: No, Seriously, Stop Abusing Antibiotics

James Hamblin | The Atlantic | April 30, 2014

In a consciously alarming report today, the agency said, "Without urgent action, we are heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries can once again kill." Read More »

“Indian superbug” NDM: "A Great Challenge For The Future Of Healthcare"

Maryn McKenna | Wired | April 29, 2014

A paper published this week reminded me to take a fresh look at NDM, the “Indian superbug” — actually a gene and enzyme — that got so much attention, including from me, in 2011. (Most of the posts are here.) Read More »