What is this Super Bug occupying the headlines of world media this week?  Let us discuss what Super bug means, how it could affect medical tourists and medical tourism industry?  Why Indian Government is upset about naming the super bug by it's capital?  What are the precautions one could take?

What is Super Bug?

According to Wikipedia, it is microorganism which is able to survive exposure to an antibiotic.  Some of the Super Bugs we keep hearing from time to time are like 'STAPH' infection, E. Coli and Salmonella.  These infections are resistant to at least 80% of the antibiotics available.

WikiPedia Article

What is this latest Super Bug NDM-1 and Why is it named after Indian Capital New Delhi?

NDM-1 or New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 is the bacteria found by researchers in the patients treated in New Delhi first. 

Lead Researcher of the study Prof.  Timothy Walsh said "We named the bacteria NDM-1 because the original patient who was investigated had flown back to Sweden from India with the infection. It was known that the origin of the infection was India and not Sweden. (It was) in the tradition of naming these types of bacteria after the city of origin,”

He gave few examples of similar naming convention like Sao Paulo Metallo-beta-lactamase1 (SPM1) was first isolated in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

From this article in Telegraph, it can be gathered that while few patients infected with NDM-1 were either treated in India or Pakistan, but 10 patients found with same infection have not undergone any medical treatments in foreign countries.

Why is Indian Government upset over the report?

Indian Government expresses concern over naming the bacteria after it's capital as they believe that report is not conclusive and similar samples had been also found from Israel & U.S.A.  Further, India is concerned that it could hurt growing Medical Tourism Industry as such reports imply that surgery in India is not safe.

Article in Telegraph

While there are some antibiotics known to treat this bacteria, doctors say those should be the last resort.  Many experts argue that Medical Tourism is not the cause for this bug to spread.   Indian Hospitals are working to find solution to avoid this infection.

How is it going to affect Medical Tourism?

Going away from home for a medical procedure/surgery is never an easy decision.  While this new 'Super bug' adds another serious concern, it may not be a deal breaker, as thousands of patients every day are getting treated away from their home.  Hospitals should take each and every measure possible to avoid any infections for their patients.

In short term, this may affect Indian Medical Tourism industry, all the hospitals in the region should take an initiative to build confidence in their patients both local and foreign by explaining the measures they are taking to avoid infections especially new one.

Affects on Medical Tourism