New superbug hits the UK

Health authorities may have declared the swine flu pandemic over but another bug has been found that is resistant to most antibiotics.

It has been discovered in 37 people in Britain who travelled to India or Pakistan to undergo surgery.

Scientists are now warning that tighter surveillance and new drugs are needed to tackle the bacteria that make an enzyme called NDM-1. It exists in different bacteria including E Coli.

Doctor David Livermore from the Health Protection agency says that the fear is it may attach itself to more dangerous diseases:

"What we're seeing here isn't the spread of a single superbug rather it is the spread of resistance between bacteria and this resistance includes the Carbapenems which have been the most powerful the most reliable antibiotics in many infections."

He added, "What's happening is that as this resistance spreads infections caused by these bacteria become much harder to treat."

The emergence of this superbug is being blamed on the increased number of overseas travellers and medical tourists.

But Doctor Michael Fitzpatrick says he doesn't think there is any cause for concern yet; "There is always a concern that new bugs might emerge and be resistant to antibiotics but its never happened and its not likely to happen this time either."

Researchers say its likely the superbug will spread worldwide as similar infections have been found in the US, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Sweden.