27 March 2001 Media Statement
Battling the superbug
Health Minister Annette King says that a 55 percent increase from 1999 to 2000 in the incidence of infections involving
the multiresistant superbug MRSA shows just how important it is to continue educating as many New Zealanders as possible
about preventative measures.
There were 648 incidences of the Methicillin Resistant Staphlococus aureus (MRSA) in 1999 and 1003 last year, Mrs King
said. "The problem is, of course, an international one, but unfortunately some strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria
are now well-established in New Zealand, mostly in hospitals and medical facilities but also in the general community."
Mrs King said over-prescribing had been a factor worldwide in the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria, and
preventing overuse of antiobiotics in the community was critical in slowing down the development and spread of the
superbug.
"The Ministry of Health, GPs and other prescribers are working together to limit the use of antibiotics. Health
practitioners generally have become far more aware of the problem.
"But the public has an important role to play too. If you are prescribed antibiotics you should complete the full
course. If you stop once the symptoms have lessened, then often all the bacteria may not have been killed. In the
resulting reinfection the surviving bacteria may be more difficult to kill.
"Individuals also need to accept that every time they go to the doctor, they will not come away with a prescription for
antibiotics. Many common diseases are caused by viruses against which antibiotics are ineffective."
Mrs King said most incidences involving antibiotic resistant bacteria occurred, as could be expected, in hospitals, but
there was also a need for caregivers outside healthcare facilities to take commonsense precautions to prevent infections
spreading.
ENDS