A recent report from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) shows that the spread of superbugs around the world poses a threat to humanity. However, pollution from pharmaceutical companies and animal husbandry has exacerbated its growth.
Superbugs are bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites that have developed resistance to antibiotics. White antibiotics, disinfectants and antiseptics help reduce and cure infections, but some organisms become resistant to them over time. Hence the ineffectiveness of antibiotics.
This is primarily due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics and bacterial growth. Microorganisms develop antimicrobial resistance (AMR) primarily in two ways. Widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and contamination of water by pharmaceutical waste.
The widespread use of antibiotics in agriculture has mutated bacterial strains to avoid them in the future.On the other hand, untreated medical wastewater from pharmaceutical companies has a similar impact. AMR is a naturally evolving phenomenon, but abuse of modern medicine exacerbates the problem.
UNEP reports that by 2050, AMR could kill up to 10 million people each year. The same factors that cause environmental degradation exacerbate the problem of antimicrobial resistance.
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The consequences of antimicrobial resistance could devastate our health and food systems,” the report said. It also highlights measures to eliminate major sources of pollution.
The development of national level plans and the establishment of regional mechanisms, the strengthening of efforts to ensure sanitation, sanitation and water restrictions, and the incorporation of environmental considerations into CPD action plans are strongly recommended.
The report also calls on countries to explore ways to develop programs and investments for resource allocation and environmental monitoring to increase data and evidence collection.
According to the agency, this could help them conduct more targeted activities in the future.
In addition to its negative impact on human health and life, the rise of superbugs can also have a negative impact on the global economy. By the end of 2030, the direct economic impact could be around $3.4 trillion, according to reports.
Moreover, more than 24 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty. Superbugs are a silent and growing pandemic, and the emergence of almost completely preventable bugs is a distant reality.
