Japan confirms five more cases of New Delhi superbug

TOKYO - Japan has confirmed another five cases of infection with Acinetobacter, an antibiotic-resistant bacteria, formally know as ‘New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 enzyme (NDM-1)’.

The cases from Teikyo University Hospital have brought the total number of people infected with the superbug to 58 in the country.

Of the 58 people, 32 have died, including nine whose deaths were likely caused directly by the infection, the Xinhua news agency reports.

NDM-1 is a type of bacteria resistant to carbapenems, one of the antibiotics of last resort for many bacterial infections.

The superbug’s is formally named after New Delhi, as it was reportedly discovered in the Indian capital.

According to reports, it has spread to Britain and the United States through travelers who had surgery in India.

The first death directly attributed to the superbug was reported last month in Belgium. (ANI)