The World Health Organization (WHO) has made an appeal to scientists, drug manufacturers and governments. The WHO wants them to work together to develop drugs to fight 12 bacteria. These bacteria are able to resist powerful antibiotic drugs. The resistance is so unusually strong all 12 have been given a special name: “superbug.” The United Nations agency reported this week the 12 superbugs are a threat to human health. It said they have the ability to turn easily treatable infections into killers. A few examples are blood, lung and brain infections, food poisoning and gonorrhea, a disease spread by sexual activity. The WHO says superbugs can also pass along genetic material that helps other bacteria become resistant to drug treatment.
