Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
19 July 2024 | 16:00 CAT
4 min read

The rise of drug-resistant superbugs is a looming global crisis, with scientists pointing to climate change as a major catalyst. A warmer planet is introducing new diseases and disrupting water systems, creating breeding grounds for resistant microbes. Alarmingly, the United Nations Development Programme predicts that antibiotic resistance could lead to ten million deaths annually by 2050. Health experts warn that without immediate action to curb antibiotic misuse, the consequences could surpass those of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An infectious diseases specialist with Doctors without Borders (MSF), Anna Farra, underscores the urgency, emphasising, “These bugs know no boundaries.”

Speaking to Radio Islam, Farra explained that the bacteria naturally present in our bodies play essential roles in our systems. However, some bacteria can become harmful when our immune system cannot manage them, typically requiring antibiotic treatment. Over time, these bacteria have developed defences against antibiotics, rendering these treatments less effective.

She pointed out that bacteria can also share their antibiotic-resistance traits with each other and spread through contact from person to person. This means you could unknowingly carry resistant bacteria, which are more aggressive and pose serious health risks if you become infected.

Farra stated that it is similar to Covid-19 but also it is not. “In a way it’s not like Covid-19 because that was one virus, whereas here you have multiple different bacteria which won’t necessarily cause a disease, and you take antibiotics thinking it won’t cause any harm but it does, because all the bacteria you carry will learn how to defend itself,” she said.

As per Farra, during the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic usage increased. However, due to reduced movement and social interaction during this period, the extent of COVID-19’s impact on antibiotic resistance remains unclear. Now that people are moving more freely, these resistant bacteria are spreading.

She attributed the increased amount of resistant bacteria to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. “Don’t use antibiotics without having seen a doctor or advised to use it from a doctor, and don’t use them when not needed nor overuse it,” she advised.

She highlighted that climate change triggers a chain of events that can disrupt health systems and hygiene through massive weather changes. This disruption can exacerbate the spread of infections, making climate change a contributing factor to health issues rather than a direct cause.

She noted a discovery that in poor communities where access to advanced antibiotics is limited, there is still a significant level of antibiotic resistance. This resistance persists despite differing hygiene practices and healthcare-seeking behaviours in these areas.

“For majority of countries antibiotics are sold over the counter which is a problem. It is easier when you are sick psychologically to take antibiotics to get better but it’s not the truth, any medications comes with side effects,” she said.

She emphasised the importance of microbiology labs, asserting that proper diagnosis in poorer communities requires these labs to accurately identify pathogens and enable more targeted treatments.

Farra stressed that vaccines are highly important and beneficial, even those that cover viral infections.

“If you are not vaccinated, and you happen to catch measles for example, it is common to catch pneumonia after measles, which has to be treated with antibiotics, thus it is better to be vaccinated against bacterial and viral infections,” she advised.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has a GLASS initiative, which is a global system that centralises antibiotic resistance data by collecting information from various labs worldwide.

According to Farra, microbiology labs need to be linked to the GLASS system and meet certain quality standards to ensure accurate detection. While Europe and the Americas have well-connected systems with accessible data, other regions have a more fragmented picture, depending on their connection to GLASS.

“You need to have a national action plan to combat the anti-microbial resistance,” she said.

Farra outlined several key policy suggestions to combat antimicrobial resistance:

1. Restrict Antibiotic Sales: Prohibit the over-the-counter sale of antibiotics.
2. Combat Counterfeit Drugs: Ensure that antibiotics are genuine and not counterfeit.
3. Local Guidelines: Develop and adapt guidelines for antibiotic use based on local resistance rates, ensuring that doctors and prescribers make appropriate choices.
4. Enhance Diagnostics: Improve diagnostic capabilities and ensure that labs and healthcare access are sufficient for accurate treatment.
5. Basic Hygiene: Emphasise the importance of basic hygiene practices, such as clean water, proper sanitation, and handwashing.
6. Food Safety: Promote proper food handling, cooking, and storage practices.

Farra emphasised that every individual is responsible for carefully considering the need for antibiotics and ensuring they are used only when necessary and for the correct treatment.

LISTEN to the full interview with Muallimah Annisa Essack and Anna Farra, an infectious diseases specialist with MSF, here.