Give us a Greta to lead fight against superbugs, say scientists

A GRETA THUNBERG-like figure is needed to spearhead the fight against superbugs, scientists have suggested.

Superbugs, or antimicrobial resistance (AMR), are considered a silent pandemic posing a threat to humanity, as bacteria evolve to nullify antibiotics.

Medicine would return to the dark ages should antibiotics fail, with post-surgery infections rife, colds proving fatal and a blister leading to sepsis.

Prof Dame Sally Davies, the UK’s special envoy on AMR, said superbugs “may be the defining health challenge of this century”.

But there is still a lack of public attention around the topic. Scientists are understood to want a face to do for AMR what Thunberg did for climate change.

Dr Hannah Balkhy, assistant director general for AMR at the World Health Organisation, said: “AMR doesn’t have a face for a reason; it’s difficult.”

David Sweetnam, chairman of the Ineos Oxford Institute Advisory Board, said: “We need a poster girl to get the politicians to allocate resources.”