So far one patient in Canterbury has died, after acquiring a known superbug from an overseas hospital.
Superbugs, also known as multi-drug resistant organisms, are a serious global issue, Canterbury District Health Board clinical director microbiology doctor Josh Freeman said.
The World Health Organisation calls the issue a global concern and a complex problem. It affects every country and compromises the ability to treat infectious diseases.
MDROs, which could be bacteria, viruses and some parasites, have the ability to stop an antimicrobial, such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials from working against it.
This makes the MDROs very hard, and sometimes impossible, to treat.
So far this year, four different strains of MDROs have been found in patients at Christchurch Hospital.
These are called ESBL (extended-spectrum beta-lactamases) producing bacteria, Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and VIM-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
However, Dr Freeman says patients that have confirmed infections have been treated with appropriate antibiotics, based on the known “sensitivity patterns” of the MDROs.
“This means MDRO infections are treated with antibiotics that the organism causing the infection is not resistant to,” he said.
One patient has died of complications relating to a serious medical condition that occurred while they were travelling overseas.
Dr Freeman said the patient was then transferred back to Canterbury from an overseas hospital, where they had acquired a known MDRO, which contributed to their death.
Patients with known MDROs, or those suspected to be a carrier, are managed with infection prevention control measures to prevent further spread, Dr Freeman said.
Suspected carriers may also include any patients who have been hospitalised in known overseas risk regions, such as India and South East Asia.
These measures include isolation precautions, heightened cleaning and disinfection of patient environments and sometimes, medicated body washes to suppress bacterial flora on the skin prior to specific procedures.
Currently, the Institute of Environmental Science and Research conducts national surveillance of MDROs, on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
An ESR spokeswoman said it is aware there are an increasing number of specific MDROs identified nationally.
New Zealand published its Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan in August 2017.
Another initiatives such as education, hand hygiene, restrictions on prescriptions, and improving the appropriate use of antimicrobials are used.
The MOH website states inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance.
This could include inappropriate prescribing, people sharing their medicines and not taking antibiotics as recommended.
