'Hypervirulent' superbug detected in 16 countries

Dangerous new strains of a "hypervirulent' superbug have been found in 16 countries, including the US, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced in a new report.

- NICOLETTA LANESE

The superbug, known as hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp), is a type of drug-resistant bacteria that can cause rapidly progressing deadly infections, even in people with healthy immune systems. In general, K. pneumoniae can be found in the environment, for example in soil and water, as well as in the upper throat and gastrointestinal tract of various animals, including humans. The classic version of the germ is a big problem in healthcare settings, where it can contaminate medical equipment and cause opportunistic infections, especially in people with weak immune systems. It's known to cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections and the nervous-system infection meningitis.