Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
antibioticslatest news & developments
Superbugs are a big public health issue. So is climate change. Put the two together and the problem becomes even bigger. (Dylan Bush)
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Superbugs plus climate change equals double trouble. Here’s why

As the Earth becomes hotter, we’re seeing more floods and droughts. Flooding can make superbugs spread faster and further. And heat helps germs adapt faster

Antimicrobial resistance silent pandemic that already claims more than 1.3 million lives every year. File photo

Aid cuts, including by UK, undermine progress on fight against superbugs

Antimicrobial resistance threatens global health and economic stability. Urgent investment in surveillance, innovation and stewardship is critical to containment

Biosecurity risk due to rising antimicrobial resistance to disinfectant

UFS team undertakes research to test the presence of ammonium compounds used in sanitisers in the ecosystem, which lead to resistant micro-organisms in water systems

A scene showing the rich life on the reef below the kelp canopy in False Bay

Voltaren found in False Bay wastewater treatment water

Study reveals how high concentrations of pharmaceutical products are ending up in False Bay’s marine environment

“Whenever I heard about comics I thought of jokes. I never knew I could develop my own comics and use them to talk about important issues”, says one child enrolled in India’s innovative Superheroes against Superbugs programme. (India Alliance)
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Antibiotic resistance: Three ways to stop the rise of the superbugs

We are facing possibly the greatest health threat of our time: drug-resistant infections. But here’s why there’s hope the world can change course.

Chickens raised in crowded spaces are likely to get diseases. But houses that have room for the broilers to move, are ventilated and temperature-regulated result in healthier chickens. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Poor practices put chicken industry in danger

Poor practices in the industry lead to disease, use of antibiotics and contamination of water and soil

Mass production: Farmer Craig Watts in a chicken house at C&A Farms in Fairmont

Reckless farm meds feed superbugs

The overuse and abuse of antibiotics strengthens lethal, drug-resistant bacteria.

South Africans believe from a young age that antibiotics will cure any illness.

Doctors’ ways with words can lead to misperceptions

Research shows that the way doctors describe medical conditions can affect whether or not a patient demands antibiotics.

War declared on the ‘superbugs’

Several initiatives are under way to stop the abuse of antibiotics.

South African based Adcock Ingram needs to diversify and to expand into new markets. (David Harrison)

Enzyme teaches bacteria to resist drugs

A new strain of drug-resistant bacteria has made landfall in South Africa.

When drugs don’t work

When medication fails, transplant surgery becomes virtually impossible.

Life without antibiotics

Life without antibiotics

In the near future we’re going to have to learn to live without these essential drugs once again

Antimicrobial resistance silent pandemic that already claims more than 1.3 million lives every year. File photo

Superbugs outstripping humans in survival race

Antibiotics are a bedrock of modern medicine but, in the near future, we’re going to have to learn to live without them once again.

China launches drive to cut use of antibiotics

China on Friday launched a campaign to curb the overuse of antibiotics and slow the development of drug-resistant bacteria.

Tainted milk death toll rises

China’s health ministry says six babies may have died from consuming poisoned milk – this is up from a previous confirmed death toll of three.