Health authorities have expressed concern about the emergence of a new type of drug-resistant bacteria but emphasized that the situation was not as serious as in other countries.

It has become a topic of global discussion, that the superbug NDM-1 could produce bacteria resistant to the most powerful antibiotics and thus become a global health threat, after spreading worldwide from India.

Hong Kong has reported one case of infection. The patient, an Indian ethnicity, suffered a urinary tract infection in October 2009. The patient recovered without further incident. The Controller of the Center for Health Protection, Dr Thomas Tsang, said the center is very much concerned about the emergence of NDM-1 bacteria in other parts of the world and here in the city. "We do expect to find more of these bacteria in the years to come," he added.

However, Tsang advised the public not to feel anxious because, contrary to previous reports, NDM-1 can be treated and it is indeed capable of being controlled, though treatment may be extended. "We can identify NDM-1 through laboratory tests and we are able to figure out what kinds of antibiotics can cure NDM-1," Tsang said.

Dr Lo Wing-lok, a specialist in infectious diseases, concurred and pointed out that NDM-1 was a rather mild germ considering its rapid dissemination. "If it is violent, it will stick with the infected person and won't spread easily," he explained.

To prevent the spread of the bacteria, special arrangements are implemented in public hospitals to strengthen the surveillance network. "If they discover any bacteria with some signature suspicion of NDM-1, they will send us the bacteria specimens and we will perform tests on it," Tsang said.

Since many NDM-1 cases were infected in hospitals, Lo suggested the public avoid going to hospitals unless clearly necessary because hospitals are hotbeds of bacteria. "The wards should not be too crowded to prevent the spread among patients. Surgical instruments should be well sterilized," Lo said.

Infection control ought to be improved in hospitals, specifically on the use of antibiotics, to reduce the chance of spread, Tsang noted. He added that the center instituted antibiotics stewardship programs in hospitals to foster a better culture in which antibiotics are used appropriately, in order to reduce superbug infections.

"Taking antibiotics is actually a resistance selection process. If you take the wrong antibiotics, the drug-resistant bacteria are more likely to remain in your body and thus affect your health," Lo commented.

Speaking of prevention measures, Tsang repeated that personal hygiene was of paramount importance. "Finish your antibiotics in accordance with doctors' instructions. Cover your wounds and keep your hands clean at all times," Tsang said.

Tsang revealed that the expert working group on antibiotics resistance would soon be exploring the options on way of minimizing the spread of the bacteria.

China Daily

(HK Edition 08/20/2010 page1)