"If these bacteria become widespread, then we are left with virtually no treatment. This scenario has never before been closer than it is now. We are moving into a post-antibiotic era, which may prove quite similar to the pre-antibiotics era," Hans Jørgen Kolmos, professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Southern Denmark, told Jyllands-Posten.
Last year, researchers from China and Great Britain discovered bacteria that are resistant to 'last resort' antibiotic agent Coliston in living pigs, pork meat and a number of people in China. Similar findings in a US woman leaves us with a ‘gloomy' future, said Svend Ellermann-Eriksen, professor and chief physician at the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Aarhus University Hospital.
"One should remember that if a Mrs. Jensen is treated with antibiotics, this compromises a Mr. Hansen as well," Svend Ellermann-Eriksen said.
Although the Danish consumption of antibiotics in health care may be assessed as moderate in comparison to some parts of the world, the consumption still increased by 30 per cent over the past 10 years.
Another, if not greater threat is the use of antibiotics for agricultural purposes.
"Danish farmers use twice as much antibiotics as the entire Danish healthcare system does. It is an utter mess," Hans Jørgen Kolmos said, advocating greater demands on agriculture.
Nevertheless, Hans Jørn Kolmos advocated local solutions to the global threat, such as creating a local environment, where these bacteria may find it difficult to thrive.
According to previous estimates, 10 million people die are expected to die every year from 2050 onwards, unless an international strategy against multiresistent bacteria emerges.
