WHO Warns of Hypervirulent, Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella
Experts Concerned Over Rapid Spread of Deadly Bacteria
Transmissible Strains Pose Global Threat
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning to countries around the world about increasing reports of hypervirulent and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, a deadly bacteria that is becoming increasingly difficult to treat.
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common bacteria found in the intestines and throats of healthy people. However, some strains of Klebsiella have become hypervirulent, meaning they are more aggressive and cause more severe infections. These hypervirulent strains are also becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, making them even more difficult to treat.
In the past, hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) strains were primarily found in Asia, where they were mainly community-acquired and were only rarely resistant to antibiotics. However, in recent years, hvKp strains have been reported in Europe, the Americas, and Africa, and they are now showing resistance to multiple antibiotics, including carbapenems, which are often used as a last resort to treat serious infections.
Infectious disease experts are calling the emergence of hypervirulent, multidrug-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae a "serious threat." These strains are highly transmissible and can cause severe infections, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis.
The WHO is urging public health officials and laboratories to be prepared to identify and respond to novel antimicrobial resistant pathogens. The WHO also recommends that countries strengthen their surveillance systems for antibiotic resistance and implement infection control measures to prevent the spread of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae.
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