Health

NDM-1 'Superbug' Spreads from India: Epidemic or Hype?

by Jordan Yerman | August 13, 2010 at 12:20 pm

884 views | 0 Recommendations | 3 comments

India Superbug Spreads Overseas

Bacteria carrying the "superbug" NDM-1 gene has been detected at hospitals in Britain and the USA. The so-called superbug is resistant to most forms of existing medicine, and was picked up by "medical tourists", people traveling to India to get more affordable health care than they could find in the West.

Since the advent of penicillin, medicine and bacteria have been engaged in a sort of arms race: medicines are developed to combat germs that grow resistant to medicines that are developed to combat germs, and so on.

Drug-resistant bugs can be found in any hospital, but the difference is one of degrees: very few drugs are any good against NDM-1. Still, this may be more of a matter of hype: there's no indication that the NDM-1 superbug is more dangerous than, say, MRSA. (Lancet Infections Diseases report)

India rejects UK scientists' 'superbug' claim

Researchers said on Wednesday they had found a new gene called New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase, or NDM-1, in patients in South Asia and in Britain.

U.S. health officials said on Wednesday there had been three cases so far in the United States -- all from patients who received recent medical care in India, a country where people often travel in search of affordable healthcare.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

k..p.. (not verified)

at 23:08 on August 13th, 2010

It appears to be a hype, created by both who are disturbed by it and those who will benefit from it.

Dr. Nancy Malik (not verified)

at 05:59 on August 14th, 2010

With the massive way antibiotics (kills healthy as well as bad bacteria) are being prescribed today they have suppressed and in no time going to destroy the immune system. It is going to be open to new diseases that are going to be incurable. Homeopathic medicines for bacterial infections such as Curcuma Longa, Einbelia Ribes, Azardica Indica, Emblica Oficinale, Ars Alb, Thuja and Pyrogenium are better substitute to antibiotics as they do not disturb or hamper digestive system.