World leaders are increasingly terrified that drug-resistant superbugs are a 'major global threat'

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published 21 September 2016

The growing threat of antibiotic-resistant superbugs prompted global leaders to meet Wednesday for only the fourth time ever about a health-related topic. In a meeting during this week's United Nations General Assembly, heads of state together with global health and agriculture groups acknowledged that antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat that requires prompt attention. "It's not that it may happen in the future, it's a very present reality," said U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The only other health topics U.N. leaders have met to discuss are the AIDS crisis (in 2001), chronic illnesses (in 2011), and the Ebola epidemic (in 2014).

By the year 2050, it's estimated that 10 million people will die annually because of antibiotic-resistant infections. Scientists are particularly concerned about the increased antibacterial resistance of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and the similar threat posed by malaria. "Some scientists call it a slow-motion tsunami. The situation is bad and getting worse," said Dr. Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization.