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 Several countries in the Americas, including Argentina, Uruguay,
Ecuador, Guatemala and Paraguay, are reporting surges in detection
of drug-resistant infections that have likely contributed to the
rise in mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, the health
agency said.
"We've seen the use of antimicrobials rise to unprecedented levels,
with potentially serious consequences," PAHO director Carissa
Etienne said. "We risk losing the drugs we rely on to treat common
infections," she said in a webcast news briefing.
Antimicrobials are being misused outside of hospital settings, and
drugs such as ivermectin and chloroquine are being used as unproven
treatments, even with strong evidence that they do not benefit
COVID-19 patients, she said.
The use of ivermectin and chloroquine has been actively encouraged
by some authorities in the region, such as far-right President Jair
Bolsonaro in Brazil.
Data from hospitals in the region shows that 90% to 100% of
hospitalized COVID-19 patients were given an antimicrobial as part
of their treatment, while only 7% of them had a secondary infection
that required use of those drugs, Etienne said.
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 Misuse and overuse of
antibiotics has long been viewed as a potential
threat that could lead to the emergence of
so-called superbugs with resistance to existing
treatments, a problem that has been exacerbated
by the pandemic.
"Throughout the pandemic we have taken the power of
antimicrobials for granted," she said, adding that it may take
months or years before the full impact of their misuse and overuse
becomes evident.
There have been few new antibiotics in drug company pipelines as
they tend to be much less profitable than other medicines and their
use must be limited to remain effective.
"Just as we were able to channel our collective capacity to develop
diagnostics and vaccines for COVID in record time, we need
commitment and collaboration to develop new and affordable
antimicrobials," Etienne said.
(Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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