Deadly drug-resistant superbug discovered in Australia

To date, 18 people have died from infection with the drug-resistant superbug Klebsiella Pneumoniae Carbapenemase (KPC), also known as KPC septicaemia, in the state of Victoria, Australia.

Of the 57 KPC cases in Victoria, 28 were detected at St. Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne. Ten of them were treated while the rest did not develop the disease.

Photo is for illustration purposes only. (Source: panama-guide.com)

State hospitals are implementing enhanced infection control and prevention measures to deal with the superbug.

The deadly KPC superbug is believed to have been transmitted to Australia by people who had been hospitalised while in Greece or Asia.

Since 2012, 52 people in Victoria have been found to have KPC blood infection or carry the super bacteria without developing symptoms. During this time, 18 people have died from KPC. However, KPC is not believed to be the sole cause of death in these people.

Dr Finn Romanes said KPC can appear in the patient's intestines without causing illness. However, people with weak resistance such as cancer patients or diabetics can develop urinary tract or blood infections. The mortality rate when developing KPC is quite high and in Australia is up to 50%./.

According to Vietnam+