Drug-Resistant 'Superbugs' Are On The Rise, Making Diseases Untreatable | HuffPost Life

Drug-Resistant 'Superbugs' Are On The Rise

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Resistant superbugs are spreading world-wide and threaten that common infections will once again become killers despite antibiotics.

A new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) says that antibiotic resistance is no longer a looming danger but a reality with the potential to affect anyone of any age in any country.

Urgent action is now needed to stem the threat to global public health before it is too late, according to the authors.

The report examines data from 114 countries and focuses on seven different bacteria responsible for common but serious diseases such as bloodstream infections (sepsis), diarrhoea, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and gonorrhoea.

It documents resistance to antibiotics, including "last resort" drugs, the final line of defence against the bugs, in all regions of the world and both rich and poor nations.

Dr Keiji Fekuda, the WHO's assistant director-general for health security, said: "Without urgent, coordinated action by many stakeholders, the world is headed for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill.

"Effective antibiotics have been one of the pillars allowing us to live longer, live healthier, and benefit from modern medicine.

"Unless we take significant actions to improve efforts to prevent infections and also change how we produce, prescribe and use antibiotics, the world will lose more and more of these global public health goods and the implications will be devastating."

Story continues below the slideshow:

Current Antibiotic Threats in the U.S.

CRE (carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae)(01 of18)

CRE, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, are the “nightmare bacteria” we reported on in March. These include bacteria that can resist all antibiotics, kill a high number of people who get it in their blood, and spread their resistance capabilities to other bacteria. (credit:CDC)

Clostridium difficile(02 of18)

C.difficile, a life-threatening infection causing deadly diarrhea, causes at least 250,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths each year. Although not significantly resistant itself, C. difficile infections usually happen to people who are taking or who recently took antibiotics, or who caught the infection from those who did. (credit:CDC)

Drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae(03 of18)

Thirty percent of gonorrhea infections are caused by microbes resistant to at least one antibiotic. If gonorrhea becomes resistant to antibiotics called cephalosporins, there could be an estimated 75,000 additional cases of pelvic inflammatory disease, a major cause of infertility. I’ve taken care of patients with infected joints from gonorrhea which has spread – a complication that can be disabling, painful, and expensive to treat. (credit:CDC)

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter(04 of18)

Acinetobacter is a type of gram-negative bacteria that is a cause of pneumonia or bloodstream infections among critically ill patients. Many of these bacteria have become very resistant to antibiotics. (credit:CDC)

Drug-resistant Campylobacter(05 of18)

Campylobacter usually causes diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and abdominal cramps, and sometimes causes serious complications such as temporary paralysis. (credit:CDC)

Fluconazole-resistant Candida(06 of18)

Candidiasis is a fungal infection causes by yeasts of the genus Candida. Candida is the fourth most common cause of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in the United States. In some hospitals it is the most common causes. These infections tend to occur in the sickest patients. (credit:CDC)

Extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae(07 of18)

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase is an enzyme that allows bacteria to become resistant to a wide variety of penicillins and cephalosporins. Bacteria that contain this enzyme are known as ESBLs or ESBLproducing bacteria. ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae are resistant to strong antibiotics including extended spectrum cephalosporins. (credit:CDC)

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus(08 of18)

Enterococci cause a range of illnesses, mostly among patients receiving healthcare, but include bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, and urinary tract infections. (credit:CDC)

Multi-drug resistant Psedomonas Aeruginosa(09 of18)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of healthcare-associated infections including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections. (credit:CDC)

Drug-resistant non-typhoidial Salmonella (10 of18)

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (serotypes other than Typhi, Paratyphi A, Paratyphi B, and Paratyphi C) usually causes diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and abdominal cramps. Some infections spread to the blood and can have life-threatening complications. (credit:CDC)

Drug-resistant Salmonella Serotype Typhi (11 of18)

Salmonella serotype Typhi causes typhoid fever, a potentially life-threatening disease. People with typhoid fever usually have a high fever, abdominal pain, and headache. Typhoid fever can lead to bowel perforation, shock, and death. (credit:CDC)

Drug-resistant Shigella(12 of18)

Shigella usually causes diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and abdominal pain. Sometimes it causes serious complications such as reactive arthritis. High-risk groups include young children, people with inadequate handwashing and hygiene habits, and men who have sex with men. (credit:CDC)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (13 of18)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes a range of illnesses, from skin and wound infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections that can cause sepsis and death. Staph bacteria, including MRSA, are one of the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections. (credit:CDC)

Drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae(14 of18)

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae, or pneumococcus) is the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia and meningitis in the United States. It is also a major cause of bloodstream infections and ear and sinus infections. (credit:CDC)

Drug-resistant Tuberculosis(15 of18)

Tuberculosis (TB) is among the most common infectious diseases and a frequent cause of death worldwide. TB is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) and is spread most commonly through the air. M. tuberculosis can affect any part of the body, but disease is found most often in the lungs. In most cases, TB is treatable and curable with the available first-line TB drugs; however, in some cases, M. tuberculosis can be resistant to one or more of the drugs used to treat it. Drug-resistant TB is more challenging to treat — it can be complex and requires more time and more expensive drugs that often have more side effects. Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR TB) is resistant to most TB drugs; therefore, patients are left with treatment options that are much less effective. The major factors driving TB drug resistance are incomplete or wrong treatment, short drug supply, and lack of new drugs. In the United States most drug-resistant TB is found among persons born outside of the country. (credit:CDC)

Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(16 of18)

Staphylococcus aureus is a common type of bacteria that is found on the skin. During medical procedures when patients require catheters or ventilators or undergo surgical procedures, Staphylococcus aureus can enter the body and cause infections. When Staphylococcus aureus becomes resistant to vancomycin, there are few treatment options available because vancomycin-resistant S. aureus bacteria identified to date were also resistant to methicillin and other classes of antibiotics. (credit:CDC)

Erythromycin-resistant Group A Streptococcus(17 of18)

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes many illnesses, including pharyngitis (strep throat), streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, necrotizing fasciitis (“flesh-eating” disease), scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, and skin infections such as impetigo. (credit:CDC)

Clindamycin-resistant Group B Streptococcus(18 of18)

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that can cause severe illnesses in people of all ages, ranging from bloodstream infections (sepsis) and pneumonia to meningitis and skin infections. (credit:CDC)

Last year, England's chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said resistance to antibiotics was one of the greatest threats to modern health.

She stressed that many of the drugs were being used unnecessarily for mild infections which should not be treated with antibiotics, helping to fuel resistance.

The WHO report found that resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, a last resort treatment for life-threatening infections caused by the common intestinal bug Klebsiella pneumoniae, was now a problem everywhere in the world.

K. pneumoniae is a major cause of severe hospital-acquired infections such as pneumonia and sepsis, and a particular threat to newborns and intensive care patients.

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In some countries, carbapenem antibiotics no longer worked for more than half of people treated for K. pneumoniae infections.

People infected by resistant superbugs are also likely to stay longer in hospital and may need intensive care, pushing up costs.

Key strategies to tackle antibiotic resistance, such as basic tracking and monitoring systems, are not being implemented properly or at all in many countries, said the report.

Kick-starting a global effort led by the WHO to address the problem, it called for more to be done to stop infections occurring in the first place, such as better hygiene, access to clean water, improved infection-control in health-care facilities, and vaccination.

Here are the health problems your doctor will see first:

Health Problems Your Doctor Can See First

Diabetes(01 of25)

A routine eye exam can detect blood and other yellowish fluids seeping out of fragile vessels in the retinas. Eye doctors call this diabetic retinopathy, and it just happens to be the leading cause of blindness in the U.S..

Cancer(02 of25)

The structure of our eyes and any unusual growth can be detected with an eye exam. Skin cancer, for example, can also be seen through an eye exam if abnormal tissue called basal cell carcinomas show up on the eyelid.

Hypertension (03 of25)

Getting your eyes checked routinely can also show bleeding in blood vessels in the eye, and bends or kinks in vessels which normally run straight to the retina. This could be a sign of high blood pressure.

Autoimmune Disorders(04 of25)

An eye exam can also catch inflammation of the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye, which can be a sign of lupus or other autoimmune disorders.

High Cholesterol(05 of25)

If your eye doctor notices any yellow rings around the cornea, this can be an indicator of high cholesterol. Not only does high cholesterol increase your risk of heart disease or stroke, but it can also form a yellow plaque on the blood vessels of the retina. (credit:Gettystock)

Thyroid Disease(06 of25)

An eye examiner can also find "bulging" eyes, which is one of the symptoms of Graves' disease — a disorder characterized by an overactive thyroid. (credit:Gettystock)

Tumours(07 of25)

Eye exams can also reveal droopy eyelids and pupils that aren't the same size. This condition can sometimes point to tumours in the neck or even possible aneurysms. (credit:Gettystock)

Acne Rosacea(08 of25)

An eye exam can detect clogged meibomian glands (glands in the rim of the eyelid), which can cause blepharitis — a type of inflammation of the eyelid. This inflammation may be a sign you have a skin condition that causes redness called acne rosacea. (credit:Gettystock)

Eczema (09 of25)

A change in the skin of your eyelids can be a symptom of eczema. Eczema is a medical skin condition that can cause skin to become irritated, inflamed and flaky. (credit:Gettystock)

Tapeworm (10 of25)

When you go in for an eye exam, the doctor can also make out an infection called cysticercosis — which is caused by the pork tapeworm. (credit:Gettystock)

Sickle Cell Disease(11 of25)

A regular eye exam can also catch inflammation of the blood vessels of your retina. This inflammation is often a symptom of a hereditary blood disorder called sickle cell disease. (credit:Gettystock)

Liver Disease (12 of25)

An eye doctor can also notice changes in the colour of the eyes. If your eyes are high in bilirubin (a yellowish pigment) and look yellow, it could be an indication of liver disease. (credit:Gettystock)

Irritable Bowl Syndrome (13 of25)

Getting your eyes checked can detect inflammation of the iris, a condition called intraocular inflammation which is often caused by IBS. (credit:Gettystock)

Some STDs(14 of25)

Chlamydia, for example, can be detected from a routine eye exam. Often the symptoms of pink eye mirrors the symptoms of chlamydia. (credit:Gettystock)

(15 of25)

NEXT: 10 Foods For Your Eyes

Collard Greens(16 of25)

Like all leafy green vegetables, collards are high in the carotenoid nutrient lutein. Eating foods rich in carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, is associated with reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. (credit:Shutterstock)

Zucchini(17 of25)

Another food rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin help by protecting the central retina (also known as the macula) from blue and ultraviolet light. Consumption of zeaxanthin, with lutein, has been found in studies to reduce the likehood of developing cataracts. (credit:Shutterstock)

Broccoli (18 of25)

Broccoli and broccoli sprouts have been found to protect the retina from free radical damage. This may be due to a compound in broccoli called sulphoraphane which naturally boosts the body's own defense system against free radicals. (credit:Shutterstock)

Eggs(19 of25)

Eggs are rich in cysteine and sulphur, two components of glutathione, a protein that acts as an antioxidant for the lens of the eye. This may explain why sulphur-containing compounds have been found to protect from cataract formation. Egg yolks also contain lutein and diets high in lutein lead to reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. (credit:Shutterstock)

Garlic And Onions(20 of25)

Sulphur-rich garlic and onions are important for the production of glutathione, an important sulphur containing protein that acts as an antioxidant for the lens of the eye. Raising glutathione levels can be instrumental in both prevention and resolution of visual problems like macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts. (credit:Shutterstock)

Tomatoes(21 of25)

Tomatoes contain two eye-healthy nutrients -- lycopene and lutein. Both of these phytochemicals are carotenoids, found to be helpful for vision. Lycopene has been well documented as effective in cancer-protection, but its antioxidant capabilities also act to protect the eyes from sun damage. (credit:Shutterstock)

Carrots (22 of25)

The old axiom that carrots are good for the eyes is not just a myth. Carrots are rich in betacarotene (precursor to vitamin A, a necessary nutrient for vision), lycopene (a phytonutrient antioxidant protective of UVB radiation in the eye) and lutein (a protective phytonutrient found in high concentrations in the macula which protects it from free radical damage). (credit:Shutterstock)

Blueberries (23 of25)

Eating blueberries has been associated with the reduction of eye fatigue. As well as having the eye-healthy carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, blueberries contain anthocyanins, eye-nourishing phytonutrients which have been shown to improve night vision. They also contain flavonoids like rutin, resveratrol and quercitin which may have preventative effects on macular degeneration. Blueberries also contain minerals necessary for proper vision including selenium and zinc. (credit:Shutterstock)

Apricots (24 of25)

Apricots are rich in both beta-carotene and lycopene, two phytochemicals that promote good vision. Beta-carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A, an important antioxidant that resists oxidative stress damage to the lense of the eye, helping to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. (credit:Shutterstock)

Fatty Fish(25 of25)

Cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, cod, haddock as well as sardines are rich in the healthy Omega-3 oils. Fish are especially high in EPA and DHA, two Omega-3 fats which are important for cellular health. DHA makes up 30 percent of the fatty acids that comprise the retina. (credit:Shutterstock)

It also urged a renewed focus on developing new diagnostics, antibiotics and other tools that might help healthcare professionals stay ahead of emerging resistance.

Members of the public, health workers and pharmacists, and policymakers could all play a part in fighting the superbugs, said the WHO.

Patients could help by only using antibiotics when they were prescribed by a doctor, making sure they completed the full course of treatment even if feeling better, and never sharing antibiotics or using left over prescriptions.

Health professionals were reminded only to prescribe and dispense antibiotics when they are truly needed and to ensure the right drugs were used for particular infections.

A regional break-down in the report revealed that in some settings in Europe MRSA accounts for up to 60% of S. aureus infections, meaning that treatment with standard antibiotics no longer worked.

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Throughout the WHO European region, there were high levels of K. pneuomoniae resistance to third generation cephalosporins.

In the Americas there were places where as many as 90% of S. aureus infections consisted of MRSA. E. coli resistance to third generation cephalosporins and fluroquinolones was also at a high level.

Professor Martin Adams, president of the Society for Applied Microbiology, said: "At the same time as improving surveillance, there must also be a global effort on prevention and control of infections involving drug resistant microbes in humans and animals.

"This will require development and implementation of new products, policies, and practices; and fundamental research to unpick the mechanisms by which resistance develops and can be passed between micro-organisms and from environment to environment.

"Even if there are new antimicrobial drugs brought to market, we will still face the spectre of resistance unless we can learn how to minimise or slow its development."

Have a look at these rare diseases:

21 Rare Diseases

Gigantism(01 of21)

This disease, which according to the NIH is most often caused by a begnin tumor in the pituitary gland, results in an excess of GH, or growth hormone. This causes sufferers to grow abnormally large, not just in terms of height, weight but also organ size. It results in complications like delayed puberty, increased sweating, and secretion of breast milk.

Pica(02 of21)

Characterized as an eating disorder, Pica causes people to eat what the National Organization for Rare Disorders describes as "non-nutritive" things. That umbrella term can include (but isn't limited to) dirt, clay, paper, and paint. Interestingly, it's not unusual for young kids to experience transient pica as a kind of phase, and pregnant women are also known to develop temporary pica cravings. The cause? Unknown. But in order to be diagnosed with full-blown Pica, a person's symptoms must last for more than a month.

Maple Syrup Urine Disease(03 of21)

MSUD, which is passed down through families, is a life-threatening metabolic disorder passed down through families that stems from the body's inability to process certain amino acids, leading to a build-up of them in the body. According to the NIH, symptoms usually surface in early infancy and can include vomiting, lack of energy, seizures, and developmental delays. MSUD takes its name from another symptom -- the urine in affected infants smells like caramel or maple syrup.

Situs Inversus(04 of21)

Situs Inversus is a congential condition in which internal organs of stomach and chest lie in mirror image of their normal body position -- something many sufferers aren't aware of until they seek medical help for an unrelated problem. People with Situs Inversus typically wear some form of identification to help doctors in the case of a medical emergency.

Trigger Thumb(05 of21)

Trigger thumb, or trigger finger as it's sometimes known, causes a person's finger or thumb to get caught in a locked position. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can then stay stuck or straighten with a painful "snap." The cause? It depends. Trigger Thumb is the result of a narrowing of the sheath around the tendon in the problem figure, but that can be caused by a lot of things, including any activity that requires people to grip things frequently. Trigger Thumb is also more frequent in women.

Scurvy(06 of21)

Once the disease of sailors and pirates, scurvy does still exist in the United States, though predominantly in older, malnourished adults. It usually stems from a Vitamin C deficiency, which can result in gum disease, skin leisons, and swelling of the joints. (credit:Getty )

Wilson's Disease(07 of21)

This progressive genetic disorder causes sufferers to store excess copper in tissues, including the brain and liver. Though the Mayo Clinic says that the body depends on copper in order to use iron and sugar, too much of it in the body can have real consequences. Which is why sufferers of Wilson's Disease are prone to liver failure.

Foreign Accent Syndrome(08 of21)

According to researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas, this speech disorder causes people to experience a sudden shift in their accents and though it is known to be caused by things like brain trauma, conversion disorder, or multiple sclerosis, an exact reason behind the syndrome is unknown. Sufferers of FAS dramatically shift their speech in terms of timing and intonation, which often causes them to sound foreign, but they remain totally comprehensible. Documented accent shifts include from American English to British and from British to French.

Stiff Person Syndrome(09 of21)

People who suffer from this acquired neurological disorder experience repeated, often painful, muscle spasms as well as muscular rigidity and stiffness. According to the National Organization of Rare Diseases, spasms can occur at random or they can be caused by something as seemingly benign as light physical contact or an unexpected noise. The cause of Stiff Person Syndrome isn't yet known, but symptoms can be stabilized with medication. Left untreated, however, a person can lose the ability to walk.

Carcinoid Syndrome(10 of21)

According to the National Organization of Rare Diseases, about 10 percent of people with carcinoid tumors -- which the Mayo Clinic says are slow growing tumors that produce excess serotonin and usually appear in the gastrointestinal tract or lungs -- get this syndrome. It occurs only in patients whose tumors have metastasized to the liver. The symptoms? Wheezing, hotness, and extreme facial blushing.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome(11 of21)

Children and adults afflicted with CVS experience recurrent episodes of severe vomiting, which can last for days, followed by sudden periods of no vomiting. While kids are likely to experience more frequent attacks, adults's often last longer. To date, the cause of CVS is unknown.

Peeling Skin Syndrome(12 of21)

This obscure, genetic skin disorder does exactly what its name implies: causes sufferers to experience constant shedding of their skin. (In some patients, peeling is limited to the feet and hands.) Along with that, sufferers often feel itching and redness -- symptoms that can appear from birth or develop later in life. Although the exact cause is unknown, a mutation in the TGM5 gene has been identified in many sufferers.

Platelet Storage Pool Deficiency(13 of21)

This is a blanket designation for several rare platelet abnormalities, most of which lead to mild or moderate bleeding disorders. According to the NIH, the problem stems having limited granules -- the parts of platelets that, among other things, store ADP -- the energy released when a molecular bond is broken. That reduction in storage space inhibits the platelets' ability to secrete ADP in a speedy fashion, which is thought to be what causes the bleeding. Classic symptoms of a Platelet Storage Pool Deficiency are nosebleeds, excessive bruising, and profuse bleeding in surgery.·

ACDC(14 of21)

Only nine people in the United States are known to have this disease, which was just given a name in a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine. ACDC, or arterial calcification due to CD73 deficiency, results in calcium build-ups in the arteries below the waist of sufferers and in the joints of their hands and feet. According to the NIH, the breakthrough discovery found that the disease is related to a variant in the NT5E gene.3

Conversion Disorder(15 of21)

This condition, which typically occurs after an extremely stressful emotional event, causes a person to experience sudden blindness or paralysis that can't be otherwise explained. People with mental illlnesses are at particularly high risk and psychological treatment can help lessen the symptoms.·

Ochronosis(16 of21)

Ochronosis results in black or blue external tissues, often the ear cartilage or eye, though it can occur throughout the body. It affects people who suffer from certain metabolic disorders, but it can also be caused by exposure, though scientists aren't exactly sure to what. Not just a cosmetic issue, the affected areas can become brittle and degenerate over time.

VLCAD Deficiency(17 of21)

This condition, which is caused by genetic mutations in the so-called ACADVL gene, keeps people from converting certain fats to energy. According to the NIH, the deficiency often presents during infancy in symptoms including low blood sugar, weakness, and lethargy.

Hairy Tongue(18 of21)

As the name suggests, Hairy Tongue is a condition in which the tongue develops a black, hairy texture. According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease is "harmless" and is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth, which can be treated with antibiotics. The NIH reports that hairy Tongue can also present as brown, yellow, or green discoloration. ·

Ochoa (Urofacial) Syndrome, or, Peculiar Facial Expression(19 of21)

This obscure, inherited disorder presents at birth and causes infants to grimace when, in fact, they are attempting to smile. The disorder also includes an extreme urinary abnormality: an obstruction that interrupts the connection between nerve signals in the spinal cord and bladder, leading to incontinence. Though treatment does exist in the form of antibiotics and bladder re-education, some patients can develop renal failure in their teens and 20's, which can be life-threatening.

Eagle Syndrome(20 of21)

This syndrome, caused by a particular calcified ligament or elongated bone, frequently causes sufferers to feel that something is stuck in their throat. (Scientists don't know the reason behind said elongation/calcification.) Other symptoms can include ear and throat pain as well as difficulty swallowing. According to the NIH, it can be treated surgically or non-surgically with steroid injections and other anti-inflammatories.

Progeria(21 of21)

According to the Mayo Clinic, only around 130 cases of this devastating genetic disorder have been documented since it was discovered in 1886. Affected babies normally appear normal at birth, but within 12 months begin to have symptoms like hair loss and wrinkles. According to the Mayo Clinic, progeria is caused by a genetic mutation, but not one that's passed down through families; it's a chance event that affects only one egg or sperm. The average life expectancy for sufferers is 13.

He added that a better understanding was needed of the role livestock rearing played in the development and spread of antibiotic resistance.

"There has been much talk of the misuse of antibiotics in agriculture as a major source of antimicrobial resistance, but in reality, it is difficult to draw such a conclusion from current data," said Prof Adams.

Professor Nigel Brown, president of the Society for General Microbiology, said: "It is vital that microbiologists and other researchers work together to develop new approaches to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

"These approaches will include new antibiotics, but should also include studies to develop new rapid-diagnostic devices, fundamental research to understand how microbes become resistant to drugs, and how human behaviour influences the spread of resistance."

Commenting on the report, Dame Sally said: "The soaring number of antibiotic-resistant infections poses such a great threat to society that in 20 years' time we could be taken back to a 19th century environment where everyday infections kill us as a result of routine operations.

"We have reached a critical point and must act now on a global scale to slow down antimicrobial resistance. In Europe, 25,000 people a year already die from infections which are resistant to our drugs of last resort.

"I have already issued a call to action in the UK, but we can't tackle the problem on our own and urgently need coordinated international action. That's why I am delighted to see the World Health Organisation taking steps to lead the global effort."

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