第三篇 Be Alert to Antimicrobial（抗微生物的)Resistance The ability ofmicro-organisms to fi

第三篇 Be Alert to Antimicrobial(抗微生物的)Resistance

The ability ofmicro-organisms to find ways to avoid the action of the drugs used to cure theinfec-tions they cause is increasingly recognized as a global public healthissue. Some bacteria have devel-oped mechanisms which make them resistant tomany of the antibiotics(抗生素) normally used for their treatment. They are known as multi-drugresistant bacteria, posing particular difficulties, as there may be few or noalternative options for therapy. They constitute a growing and global publichealth problem. WHO suggests that countries should be prepared to implementhospital infection con- trol measures to limit the spread of multi-drug resistant strains(菌株) and to reinforce national policy on prudent use ofantibiotics, reducing the generation of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

An article published in TheLancel Infectious Diseases on 11 August 2010 identified a new gene that enablessome types of bacteria to be highly resistant to almost all antibiotics. Thearticle has drawn attention to the issue of antimicrobial resistance, and, inparticular, has raised awareness of in- fections caused by multi-drug resistantbacteria.

While multi-drug resistantbacteria are not new and will continue to appear, this development re- quiresmonitoring and further study to understand the extent and modes oftransmission, and to define the most effective measures for control.

Those called upon to bealert to the problem of antimicrobial resistance and take appropriate ac- tioninclude consumers. managers of hospitals, patients, as well as nationalgovernments, the pharma-ceutical(制药的 ) industry and international agencies.

WHO strongly recommends thatgovernments focus control and prevention efforts in the follow- ing areas likesurveillance for antimicrobial resistance; rational antibiotic use, includingeducation of healthcare workers and the public in the appropriate use ofantibiotics; introducing or enforcing legis-lation related to stopping theselling of antibiotics without. prescription; and strict adherence to infec-tion prevention and control measures, including the use of hand-washingmeasures, particularly in healthcare facilities.

Successful control ofmultidrug-resistant microorganisms has been documented in many countries, andthe existing and well-known infection prevention and control measures can effectivelyreduce transmission of multi-drug resistant organisms if systematicallyimplemented.

WHO will continue tosupport countries to develop relevant policies, and to coordinate interna-tional efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistancewill be the theme of WHO's World Health Day 2011.

Antimicrobial resistance has become a global public health issue because

A.new antibiotics are too expensive for poor countries

B.infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria have killed a lot of people

C.scientists know nothing about multi-drug resistant bacteria

D.there may be few or no treatment to infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria