Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Argentina
Delegate Name: Lauren Williams
School: Mattawan High School

This issue is one that Argentina feels should be address immediately, for it has hit their home front and has largely affected the community. Argentina is a country that has been constantly moving toward human development throughout the ages. Argentina has been consistently improving healthcare services and medical care within their county. Even with the productivity of moving forward to success, Argentina has had problems with antibiotic resistant pathogens. Since Argentina is one of the world’s largest agricultural produces, many of the labor workers are exposed to unsanitary working conditions which are a major cause of these resistant strains of bacteria. Another leading factor in the cause of this problem is poor infection control in hospital, which is an element that Argentina has largely focused on.

The government of Argentina has recently begun spending around 14% of its total yearly budget on health care, which includes improvement within hospitals overall conditions and effectiveness. Recently the government allowed the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) to pilot a project through the National University of La Plata in Entre Rios. The project centered in on improving the management and prevention of health care-associated infections in three hospitals, two schools (nursing and medical), and one health center in the area. Through this project, health education programs were set up to teach infection control practices to health care workers and students. Argentina believes that the approach taken by PAHEF was the most efficient way to prevent the spread of these resistant strands, because of the fact that most of the cases, worldwide, occur from unsanitary hospital conditions because of uneducated health care professionals. Argentina would like to see the committee involve the ideas that PAHEF had in this project to develop their final resolution.

Argentina strongly believes that the only poor choice in improving this growing problem is to not act on the situation at all. The problem of antibiotic resistant pathogens is a growing crisis worldwide and necessary actions are needed to be put in place as soon as possible. Argentina feels that funding for educating the medical forefront on prevention of health care-associated medical dilemmas is the first step to improving the situation; though, Argentina is open to other resolutions, such as American practices of bacteriotherapy and bacteriophage therapy. Argentina has recognized that past improvement projects has been placed to order but at this time, the crisis of antibiotic resistant pathogens needs a more serious approach for a permanent solution.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Kate Kelley
School: Royal Oak High School

It has been years since the globe faced a disease virulent and deadly enough to truly be called a pandemic. Scares like SARS and H1N1 have only underscored the lack of education and preparedness that all countries face. The potential emergence or reemergence of a major plague is a pressing issue, which must be addressed from a variety of perspectives.

Preventing the development of these diseases is the issue easiest to address and most in need of attention. Areas where highly concentrated animas interact with humans, and vice versa, are the breeding ground of super-diseases. In cities across the globe, interaction between animals and people must be reduced wherever possible. Factory farms, popular nations like the US, are a major issue – animals are packed close together, near people, and are fed super-therapeutic antibiotics to increase meat yielded. While highly profitable, the use and spread of this type of farming must be stopped. Nations like Argentina and Brazil continue to grass feed cattle on open ranges, producing some of the healthiest beef in the world. It is time for other nations to follow suit.

Overuse of antibiotics in general is a major issue in the developed world. While citizens of African nations suffer without even basic medical care, billions of dollars are spent on antibiotics prescribed without cause, to treat illnesses for which they are unnecessary. By regulating the distribution of antibiotics, nations can help reduce their abuse, ultimately protecting citizen’s lives.

Development of a system for managing pandemics is also vital. Such a system must incorporate every nation, with donations of expertise and funding essential to such a program's success. Brazil will support resolutions that address long-term issues of infrastructure such as this.

Commitment from developed and developing nations, specific actions to reduce the likelihood of a pandemic, and systems for managing such an outbreak will all be features of a successful, Brazilian backed resolution from this committee.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: China
Delegate Name: Lauren Niswonger
School: Forest Hills Central High School

A major problem the World Health Organization is facing is the rise in number of antibiotic resistant pathogens. Pathogens are increasingly evolving into antibiotics since the problem was introduced to the World Health Organization in 119, resulting in unpredictable outbreaks of diseases that are thus uncontrollable because they are immune to antibiotics. The pathogen immunity to antibiotics has lead and continues to lead to outbreaks such as swine flu, SARS, and bird flu.

China would like to discuss all options for the lessening and eventual eradication of this problem as proposed by other countries. The influence of antibiotics introduced to livestock is a considerable concern considering that any antibiotic that goes through the body one of these livestock will eventually be reintroduced to the environment and potentially allow pathogens to be exposed to them and develop an immunity to the antibiotic.

It is critically important to identify necessary antimicrobials for humans and to regulate those antimicrobials so that pathogens are not exposed to them and given the opportunity to evolve into a stronger species. In addition, the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in commercial livestock needs to be greatly reduced and regulated in order to further avoid interaction between potentially deadly pathogens and antibiotics.

Representatives from the nations of China, Oman, India, the United States of America, Australia, France, Japan, and Mauritius came to the conclusion, at the World Health Organization working group consultation in February 2005, to:

1. create criteria to define critically important antimicrobials for humans;

2. explain the criteria that led to the selection of antimicrobials for this list; and

3. create a draft list of critically important antimicrobials for humans.

These criterion will help the world to regulate antibiotic use and to avoid using antibiotics unnecessarily.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Denmark
Delegate Name: Garrett Pierman
School: Mattawan High School

Denmark, as a developed nation, is greatly concerned with the rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens. This is an issue which all countries must be concerned, but those in the EU, as well as the USA have much at stake with the use of antibiotics, as developed nations with advanced medical systems which make heavy use of such drugs, in addition to their use as growth promoters in animal farming.To address the issue at hand, which, as Denmark sees it, is mainly about slowing the rate at which pathogens become resistant, recommends the following. In agreement with WHO/CDS/CSR/DRS/2001.10:

The rate at which pathogens are becoming resistant should me closely monitored at the local, national, and global levels. The only way in which the WHO can hope to being to make any real impact is to start out with reliable, quantifiable data.

With the goal of slowing, as much as possible, Denmark strongly suggests to all nations a program of education of the following groups:

Healthcare workers: to avoid the use of antibiotics when not absolutely necessary, such as in the treatments of colds. To limit the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics as much as possible. To use microbiological cultures in the diagnosis of patients as much as possible. To isolate patients ill with resistant strains of pathogens. Promote "good" bacteria through direct education of patients and healthcare workers.

National/ municipal governments: To regulate the use of antibiotics in livestock. To increase awareness of the issue of antibiotic resistance within the general public. To set standards regarding the use of antibiotics in general.

Veterinarians/farmers: To limit the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animals, as the resistances may transfer to humans as well. Encourage better livestock hygiene, to prevent infection by pathogens from occurring in the first place.

Denmark strongly encourages the moderate use of antibiotics only when necessary, and in those cases, to use more targeted antibiotics instead of broad spectrum, to, at the very least, reduce the rate at which pathogens become resistant. Denmark recognizes that, as a developed nation with easy access to antibiotics, more developed nations must lead the way for others in this issue, as we (developed nations) use, by far, the vast majority of antibiotics. Through good data, and comprehensive education, Denmark hopes to slow the resistance of pathogens, and would support any resolution including as its primary features, education and data collection, as well as funding for such programs.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Stacey Mulka
School: Roeper School

As a developing country, Egypt is concerned about the risk of antibiotic resistant pathogens. Data on antimicrobial resistance is scarce in Egypt but between 1999-2000 research was conducted at 5 separate hospitals in Cairo. High rates of resistance to certain antibiotics were found in strains of Streptococcus pneumonia and Enterococcus. From this study it was concluded that citizen’s resistance to penicillin is comparable to other developed nations such as the US. Gram-negative bacilli was also found to be resistant to antibiotics. After this study, a nationwide surveillance program was enacted to monitor antimicrobial resistance patterns.

In a study done by Egypt’s National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries on Nutritive and Antimicrobial Profiles of some Seagrasses from Bardwil Lake, Egypt, Cymodocea nodosa and Ruppia cirrhosa were tested as antimicrobial compounds. Cymodocea nodosa and Ruppia cirrhosa are both seagrasses found in the Bardwil Lake. Ethanol was extracted from both these substances and was found to be active against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.

Egypt has done other extensive work in this area, but has been unable to make progress in the past half decade. Without significant assistance (primarily financial but also technical) by outside partners, such as international organizations like the WHO, partnerships with developed nations health bodies, such as the USA’s NIH or CDC, support from the African Union Health committee, or private pharmaceutical corporations, these promising antimicrobials cannot be developed further. Egypt is aware that other developing nations have done similar promising research in antimicrobials, but have been hampered by the same problems.

The UN and WHO need to work with developing nations to take research out of the laboratory and into tests, and provide a process for practical implementation of the findings made by able health scientists of all nations, no matter their funding limitations. Egypt is ready to work with all nations to form resolutions that will allow the knowledge and innovation of health scientists of all nations to help benefit humankind. Together we can stop the spread of antibiotic resistant pathogens and make use of new discoveries that will stop the growth of these pathogens.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: France
Delegate Name: Brendan Burgess
School: Saline High School

France as part of the EU has taken many steps to stop the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (such as resistant e.coli and pneumonia. The ECDC has found that one of the leading causes of antibacterial resistant bacteria to be the inappropriate use of antibacterial drugs. Inappropriate use was classified as not following the intrusions of the doctor on how to use the medication. If overused or the wrong drug is used the bacteria that survive may have learned to be resistant to it While even now extremely prevalent this problem is still developing and if no action is taken all indications suggest that it will get worse. France has not had very high levels of resistant bacteria but this is not saying that there will not be the same problems in the future. However, The EU has taken vigorous action to educate the public about the dangers of overusing antibacterial drugs . This is becoming an increasingly important issue in third world countries because insufficient sanitation means an even higher chance of catching these diseases. If these diseases spread many modern health practices like transplantations and other invasive surgeries will not be possible because the chance of the patient dying from disease resistant bacteria will be very large. France recognizes that this is a growing issue and is a major health threat and therefore is open to any reasonable and productive ideas that will end this pandemic

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Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Ashley Smith
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

The Federal Republic of Germany is deeply concerned with the affects that ensue from the rise of antibiotic resistant pathogens. The increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance is an inevitable outcome of evolution. However, is is important that steps are taken in order to delay the amount of time that these antibiotic resisant microbes occur.

The reason for such concern is that antibiotic resistance spreads at an astronomical rate. For example, between 1979 and 1987, only 0.02% pneumococcus strains of bacteria infecting a large number of patients surveyed by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were penicillin-resistant. In 2005, however, it was reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that over twenty percent of pneumococcus strains are resistant. The implications of antibiotic resistance create a heavy burden on a nation’s financial resources including the patients who require prolonged stays in hospitals and more therapeutic treatments, as well as the farmers and consumers when antimicrobial resistance develops in food-producing animals.

Germany agrees with the implementation of the World Heatlh Organization Global Strategy to help to slow down the time it takes for antimicrobial resistance to occur. The World Health Organization Global Strategy defines the appropriate use for antibiotics as the cost-effective use of antimicrobials which maximizes clinical therapeutic effect while minimizing both drug-related toxicity and the development of antimicrobial resistance. Germany feels that it is important for all countries to work towards improving their use of antimicrobial agents since this is a global problem.

Respectfully Submitted,

Germany

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Ghana
Delegate Name: Issac Ross
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

The development of antibiotics has greatly increased the health and prosperity of nearly every country in the world. The common threat is that a variety of viruses treated with widely used antibiotics, have been developing immunity to the antibiotics themselves; such as Meningitis, Pneumonia, and STD’s. According to the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, antibiotic resistant pathogens cause up to 19,000 deaths a year in America and around 25,000 across Europe yearly because they can no longer be treated. A study in 2005 stated that overuse of antibiotics was spreading through Southern and Eastern Europe, and in many parts of Africa they are still using highly dangerous antibiotics such as Chloramphenicol. The use of dangerous antibiotics only shows the poor decisions by undereducated doctors and the over use of antibiotics. If a strong enough pathogen develops, it could be very possible for a worldwide epidemic to occur. Also, in many countries worldwide the doctors that are prescribing the antibiotics are often under trained and may over prescribe them, increasing the risk of pathogens developing immunizations to the antibiotics. Ghana itself has 1.5 physicians per every 10,000 people meaning that when the residents see a doctor, it should be a well-educated physician who can properly treat the problem whilst limiting possible complications with antibiotics. The average amount of doctors, in developed countries, is 30 doctors per 10,000 people. Other countries with few doctors may be over prescribing, or incorrectly prescribing medications, which could lead to health hazards.

Ghana has been working on educating the doctors and medical staff to seek alternate medications to treat the problems. The training that was received increased the proper use of antibiotics greatly. Ghana has joined on with a few groups, such as the Red Cross, that help study the spread of disease and likelihood of them becoming resistant to forms of antibiotics as well. Ghana has also accepted the recommendations of the World Health Organization through the UN to create reports of Ghana’s health issues, seeing it as a reason to better their health and show their progress along the way. The United Nations should work along side the Red Cross and Red Crescent to set up and develop educational centers for doctors and facilities to fully understand the medicines and their threats. They should try to teach doctors the use of vaccines over antibiotics because vaccines have a higher efficiency and do not allow the pathogens to develop immunizations. The average cost per dose for many STD vaccines is about $120 U.S. dollars and takes up to around 3 separate doses. This is better then the constant use of expensive antibiotics which costs around $150 U.S. dollars a week without insurance, and will last for the lifetime unlike costly antibiotics.

Every country should agree with these suggestions in order to further help increase the country’s overall health and further expand their knowledge and ability to deal with pathogens and other diseases. The establishments that help treat pathogens and educate doctors would also increase job opportunities whilst increasing the economic gain.

The only countries that would disagree with theses suggestions would be those countries that do not wish to receive aid and have the United Nations, Red Cross, or Red Crescent present in their country controlling certain job fields, or countries who have a lack of antibiotics and do not receive immediate threat from the pathogens resistance to them.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Italy
Delegate Name: Kyle Callaghan
School: Forest Hills Northern High School

There has been a large rise of antibiotic resisting pathogens in the world lately, but since Italy is a fairly healthy nation, it has been far less severe there.

Of the 191 nations recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), Italy ranked 3rd in least deaths related to communicable diseases per capita, behind only New Zealand and San Marino. Other rankings include 15th in least deaths by infectious disease per capita as well as 8th in least deaths by respiratory infections per capita.

The last major outbreak of any disease Italy saw was the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) back in the Spring of 2003, which has since been completely contained. There have also been a few reports of humans in Italy contracting Mad Cow Disease, the first in 2002 and most recently in July of 2010; however, the numbers have been fairly low compared to the rest of the world.

In the past decade, Italy's neighbors have seen many outbreaks that Italy managed to avoid, such as Human Influenza Virus A/H3N2 in 2004; Rabies, Chikunguya Fever, and Dengue Fever in 2006, as well as a small outbreak of Lassa fever in 2000.

Italy's outstanding success in disease control (as well as overall health) is due in part to its sufficient water and food distribution and relatively high levels of both nutrition and sanitation. They also have their own national health service, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), a very important factor.

The first and potentially most important step to disease prevention is keeping the population aware. Italy has done this very well, and steps can be taken worldwide to make the rest of the world far more aware. Italy proposes that the World Health Organization do further campaigning for world disease control and monitor the campaigns done by the national health organizations of UN nations.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Lebanon
Delegate Name: Kelsey Paulus
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School

One major problem facing the world today is the rise of antibiotic resistance. For antibiotics to be resistant, this means that microorganisms are able to survive exposure to antibiotics. Antibiotics are an extraordinary tool to have if they are being used properly. However, throughout the past several decades, with the first antibiotic penicillin being discovered in 1939, more and more physicians are prescribing antibiotics not because their patents need them but because they ask for them. It is recorded that over 133 million antibiotics are prescribed each year, and it is estimated that over 50 precent of these latter prescriptions are unnecessary since they are being prescribed for colds, coughs, and viral infections. Doctors are becoming more reliant on antibiotics because they are feeling pressure from their patients. According to the Institute for Clinical Excellence doctors claim that they feel under pressure to issue a prescription because patients feel cheated or become angry if they leave the surgery or an appointment without one. Doctors constant reliance on antibiotics is on its way to becoming an epidemic. The World Health Organization realizes that this is not just a problem in Lebanon but a growing epidemic worldwide.The World Health Organization knows that this is a problem because they are already putting in steps to try and fix it, like setting a limited number of antibiotics per countries along with other tactics. Not to say that all doctors are frivolously prescribing antibiotics, and not to say that using antibiotics in the right amount wouldn’t be helpful because they are. In fact it was for many years effective to use antibiotics when a bacterial infection appeared, but now some doctors are mistaking viral infections, for which antibiotics cannot help, for bacterial ones. With so many antibiotics being prescribed and not all of them are necessarily needed, a person grows a resistance to that specific antibiotic. When a person grows a resistance to an antibiotic it is not longer helpful that time or any other time to take that medicine because your body recognizes it was a welcomed guest and not something that needs to kill viruses. When infections become resistant to “first line” antimicrobials, treatment needs to be switched to second or third line drugs which can cost up to 100 times more than a first line antibiotic. So developing countries especially that cannot afford such a high price should not be taking antibiotics so frivolously.

In 1977 the WHO produced Model Lists of Essential Drugs in order to help the government select the most effective and appropriate drugs in line with priority needs. This program limits and monitors the number of drugs allowed to be distributed at specific times, and this program makes the drugs last three times longer than countries without a program. This program seems to be working; however, Lebanon wishes to modify it to include any country that wish to keep their antibiotic distributions under control. In saying that, if any country wants to keep their antibiotic distribution under control and adopt this program that has been such a success, it is something to be seriously discussed at the conference. Every country would join this program because not only will it stop an enormous number of antibiotics from being wasted, those antibiotics that are being spared can go to the countries who cannot afford the quantity of antibiotics needed. This program to control the distribution of antibiotics would cost a bit of money; however, in the long run it would make people live longer and have healthier lives. The United Nations should help by partially funding this program.

Some countries that might be on our side in this initiate would be any country that is having a continuous problem with over exposure to antibiotics. Although their country may be making a lot of money from prescriptions, they need to understand that their people will eventually become sicker and sicker because they cannot fight of infections as easily. We in Lebanon would be willing to work with any country to try and make this problem a thing of the past. Some countries that might have a problem are countries that do not like to share information about their country; including China, India, and Russia to name a few. We in Lebanon do not want anything but to try and spread the program to more countries than it is currently at, so that this close to epidemic can be over and more people will be able to move on to future generations.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Malaysia
Delegate Name: Alex Clegg
School: Forest Hills Northern High School

From the early 1940s and on, antibiotics have been a key factor in the increasing world health. However, due to this use of antibiotics, some pathogens are becoming more resistant to antibiotics making them far less effective. Rational use of antibiotics is the most logical solution to the problem. With less use comes a lesser chance of development of infectious antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In Malaysia, antibiotic resistance is becoming a bigger problem. For example, from 2007 to 2008, there was an increase of 2,161 cases of bacteraemia (the presence of bacteria in blood) due to Staphylococcus aureus to 2,389 cases of bacteraemia due to S. aureus. Other notable multi-resistant organisms include Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherica coli, Enterococcus and Acentobacter.

To combat the growing antibiotic resistance, one strategy adopted by Malaysia was to control infection in the first place, not allowing it to spread which in turn would lessen the chance of bacteria development. Malaysia also has instituted surveillance programs as to make sure use of antibiotics is monitored. Malaysia also has issued a National Antibiotic Guideline which states specific guidelines that hospitals are advised to follow.

In order to solve this problem, we must combat the threat of overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Therefore, all people involved in the distribution of antibiotics must play their part. Without rational antibiotic use, the effectiveness of antibiotics will decrease even more than it already has. Malaysia believes that other nations create antibiotic guidelines for their nations to follow and that all nations use care when issuing antibiotics.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Mexico
Delegate Name: Kristen Wrona
School: West Ottawa High School

The world has seen a large number of problems, many of which have been health related. More recently in fact they have been related to problems such as HIV and other antibiotic resistant pathogens. The scary thing is, we know quite a lot about HIV. We know how it spreads, where it originated, and how to prevent future outbreaks. What we don't know is how to beat it, how to find a cure. HIV is just one example of the many diseases resistant to antibiotics, and that disease in itself has infected about 33.3 million (as of 2009.) The goal of this conference should be to decide on some of the more dangerous problems and issues associated with antibiotic resistant pathogens, to help find possible solutions for underprivileged countries, or even those, such as Mexico, with only limited resources. Mexico believes that education is an important step in preventing future problems because cures aren't going to arrive tomorrow, which is no one's fault, but is simply realistic. Education is a secure way to ensuring that the number of people that are affected by these diseases is decreased. A possible system of adopting underprivileged countries in effort to help educate them would be a possible solution. We, as a committee, simply need to find a way to educate people. Whether it is split by continent, or by a grouping the committee sees fit, Mexico feels that education be stressed as a key point. Mexico does understand that other solutions will be necessary, in addition to education, to help resolve the issue.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Amelia Wittig
School: Saline High School

Pakistan recognizes the problem at hand of antibiotic resistant pathogens. It considers this to be and infection and as such, they outline how they would like to control this in their National Infection Control Guidelines. The largest point of this is the appropriate use of antibiotics in the first place. Pakistan sets rules of use for clinical diagnosis only, as well as limiting the use of topical antibiotics. They also state it should be a goal to avoid combining antibiotics when possible as a safety precaution. To attempt to stop the spread of this infection, Pakistan has set forth for resistance patterns to be checked and assessed routinely and regularly. To avoid the further development, Pakistan recommends using narrow spectrum agents and being sure of the appropriate dosage of antibiotics. If given a low dosage, the antibiotics will not be effective and would encourage resistance development. On the other hand, if given a high dosage, they believe it would have adverse effects and not prevent resistance. They have also restricted the use of selected antibiotics and believe that the selection of antibiotics should not be based on pathogenic agents, but instead on the sensitivity patterns, the patient’s specific tolerance, and the cost.

Pakistan would like to improve these prescribing methods by providing education on the matter and implementing administration control of the infection. In addition to this, they would like to create protocols for extensive infection control for this specific outbreak and recognize that they need to find a way to provide the resources to do so effectively.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Philippines
Delegate Name: Rachel Martin
School: Northville High School

Antibiotic resistant pathogens are quickly becoming a major issue in all parts of the world. Within the Philippines, there have been multiple cases of drug-resistant bacteria. Tuberculosis and other bacterial infections are major health concerns in the Philippines, and if there were strains of such diseases that showed resistance to conventional treatments, it could pose a serious threat to the health of the Philippine population and the international community. Most important in dealing with the issue is reducing the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents in treating humans and animals. In the past, the Philippines has had problems with people purchasing antibiotics without a prescription. This sort of self-treatment is a serious threat to both the health of the individual self-medicating and the general public, because taking a course of antibiotics improperly can encourage the evolution of bacteria resistant to that medication. Another practice that promotes the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria is the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics by doctors. Many diseases are caused by viruses, which will not be affected by antibiotics, yet patients request antibiotics anyway. When healthcare providers give in to demands from their patients in these situations, development of antibiotic resistant bacteria accelerates without providing any benefit to the patient. Overuse and unnecessary prescription of antimicrobial agents is one of the major contributors to the general problem. On a related note, if people fail to take courses of medication exactly as prescribed, or stop taking their doses early, more bacteria can survive and reinfect than would have if medication was properly used. These surviving bacteria can obtain genetic information from the few that would have survived anyway and spread the resistant traits more quickly to other areas than those few could have on their own. Household cleaning products commonly include antimicrobial compounds, but the inclusion of these ingredients is not particularly beneficial. Cleaners with antimicrobial agents have never been proven to clean better than products without them. This has been shown through multiple studies. The other area of concern is the use of antibiotics in farming and treating livestock. Animals are injected with and fed antibiotics on a regular basis in almost all countries with agricultural businesses. This strategy of keeping animals healthy can actually be counterproductive, even if the short-term results seem positive. When animals are constantly ingesting antibiotics, the bacteria around and within them have the perfect environment for developing drug resistance. The situation where a multitude of animals are all in close proximity encourages the spread of pathogens from one to the other quickly, and a single strain of resistant bacteria can easily infect an entire population and jump to another. The same principle applies when hospitals suffer epidemics of drug resistant infections. Also, antibiotics used in agriculture can end up in local water supplies, posing the same issues as incorrect use in the beginning while being much harder to control.

There are several things that can be done to help slow the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria and to treat infections when they occur. Educating the public about proper use of antibiotics and regulating their sale more closely is important to reduce their misuse and incorrect prescription. Reducing the use of antibiotics to treat livestock is a major goal that should be encouraged worldwide. In the Philippines, there was a 37% drop in the volume of antibiotics used in animal feed from 2008 to 2009. We hope to continue this trend and encourage any other nations to follow the example set by Philippine farmers. As for treatment options when antibiotic resistant bacteria do surface, new and continued research should be done into the development of new antimicrobial agents. This will probably be a continual process throughout the foreseeable future, thanks to the constant evolution of bacteria regardless of human actions. All the nations of the world should work together on this issue, as it is one of the most pressing problems facing WHO today. Political barriers should not affect concern for the well-being of all humanity. With today's global travel system, any health problem in one area will undoubtedly affect the rest of the world as well. The Philippines believes that establishing guidelines for the use of antimicrobial agents in farming and recommendations for their prescription is the most effective way to curb the evolution of drug resistant bacteria. Hopefully, this committee can carry out these goals and help improve the future health of people worldwide.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Allie Cobb
School: Williamston High School

The rise of drug resistant pathogens is an extremely important to South Africa. Such pathogens are almost impossible to stop during an unexpected outbreak. As a developing nation, South Africa has struggled with outbreaks of erythromycin-resistant pneumococci, among other things. This, as so many diseases do, has been on an exponential rise. This struggle is evident elsewhere in the world as well, and deserves considerable attention from the United Nations.

Not only do antibiotic resistant pathogens harm the health and safety of the people of a nation, it also causes immense strain on the people and the government economically. We have seen this during the AIDs epidemic, and the same situation will likely exist if we cannot put a stop to drug resistant pathogens.

Overuse of antibiotics has been deemed the cause of these drug resistant pathogens, so over prescription and self medication can be seen as sources of blame for these sometimes deadly outbreaks. Therefore, policy should be implemented to provide only those in need of antibiotics with them.

Ultimately, the current rise in the quantity of drug resistant pathogens cannot continue, for the betterment of South Africa, and for the betterment of the world. Diseases rarely stay local, and if such strains develop in one region of the world, one can be almost certain that other regions will suffer as well. Together, we must search to find a solution to this tremendous issue if ew wish to find success as a whole. South Africa supports reasonable initiatives aimed at saving its people from sickness and fiscal hardship in the future.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: South Korea
Delegate Name: Apoorv Singh
School: Forest Hills Central High School

Antibiotic resistant pathogens are big big problem for the WHO. The republic of Korea is a relatively healthy country with only a few outbreaks now and then. Pathogens are evolving and antibiotics are becoming less effective. This is a serious for countries who normally face outbreaks of diseases. If something isn't done about this many people can get sick and die because there antibiotics aren't working.

The Republic of Korea believes this can be solved in a number of ways. One would be to not give so many in one time, people may get a lot of pills and through some away. This introduces the antibiotic to pathogens who will then adapt to the antibiotics. To solve this just administer them in smaller doses or give them to the patients over an amount of time. Also better regulate and dispose of any antibiotics that are expired or can no longer be consumed.

Countries such as China, Russia, and the United States will support us since they are large manufactures and consumers of antibiotics. Also developing countries will support us since their countries have high disease rates and need the Paying for this may be a problem but can also be overcome. With all of us combining over efforts and with help form WHO we can do this. It ma take time but our scientists could some day in the future create antibiotics that are totally resistant to pathogens

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Turkey
Delegate Name: Duncan Burns
School: Roeper School

The Republic of Turkey, as most countries, has suffered from the increasingly resilient strains of infectious diseases that seem to have become more frequent in recent years, with the H5N1 influenza or “avian flu” in 2006 and the H1N1 “swine flu”. Of the two outbreaks, the H1N1 virus caused a significantly higher death toll in Turkey with over 600 reported dead. It was dealt with fairly quickly with vaccinations; on the other hand the H5N1 virus swept rapidly over the globe through migrating birds but only caused 12 deaths in the Republic of Turkey.

Yet there is still no effective H5N1 vaccination so it continues to loom over the globe causing unease. Both of these diseases are in part a result of animal-based viruses that have significant antibiotic resistance crossing the species barrier to infect humans. As with many crossover viruses, they are particularly antibiotic resistant due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics given to mammals and fowl on animal feedlots. Human cases of this disease are rare but almost always deadly; this frequency could change in a single mutation of the strain as it has shown the ability to change to infect other mammals such as dogs and cats.

For Turkey the persistent issue pertaining to H5N1 is control of its poultry, which at its core stems from an important idea to keep in mind when dealing with infectious disease, control. Turkey’s rural farms, which greatly contributed to the spread of the virus within the country, would likely not have been such incubators of disease if the government public health officials had stepped in to control the situation earlier. The Republic of Turkey regrets this inaction and believes that firmer sanitation and transportation control in hand with further vaccine research is the key to dealing with any pandemic. Learning from its experience, Turkey is willing to act with all other nations to develop a realistic resolution which would provide a clear set of actions to help prevent antibiotic resistant pathogen outbreaks.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Ukraine
Delegate Name: Connor Estabrook
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

The spread of antibiotic resistant pathogens is a grave concern for the many developing countries of the world. According to UN reports, tuberculosis patients in Ukraine, as well as other eastern European nations, are ten times as likely to have a strand that is resistant to antibiotics as any other region in the world. With this in mind, Ukraine is ready to work with other nations in order to face this belligerent problem.

As established, some of the most effective ways to eradicate this problem are through educating the public on the proper times to use antibiotics. While it is agreed that antibiotics are vital in serious cases, the improper use of antibiotics must be combated. In addition, nations must recommit themselves to the reduction of antibiotic use in livestock. Ukraine is willing to work to increase standards on this issue, but it will take the unconditional cooperation of other nations to effectively combat this issue.

While Ukraine is making a conscious effort to curbing the spread of these pathogens, our efforts have not fully eradicated this problem. Ukraine needs the assistance of other nations in order to further our fight against antibiotic resistant pathogens. Although Ukraine realizes that the spread of antibiotic resistant pathogens is inevitable, we are more than willing to do whatever we have to do in order to reduce this problem as much as humanly possible. We hope that the other delegates will come into our productive conference with the same mindset, in the hopes that the United Nations can create a solution beneficial to all.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Laris Davenport
School: Williamston High School

The United Kingdom is very concerned with the spread of antibiotic resistant pathogens. The rise of superbugs is a great threat to all of mankind. With the rise in tourism, the spread of such strong pathogens is rapid, causing this threat to grow at an alarming rate. A gene found in a bug in India has been noted to have the ability to change any ordinary pathogen into a superbug.

Beside this growing danger, little can be done to stop these pathogens. Antibiotics are overused today, allowing the creation of these mutated diseases that are resistant to it. The United Kingdom strongly supports the scientific research being focussed on defeating these superbugs, and coming up with alternative methods to aid the immune system in defeating pathogens. The United Kingdom also supports the plan of having programs to educate the global public about the proper use of antibiotics, in addition to regulating the prescriptions and purchases of them. Overall, the United Kingdom feels that both only moderate use of antibiotics and research into alternative solutions for pathogens can aid this global issue.

The United Kingdom is very concerned with the spread of antibiotic resistant pathogens. The rise of superbugs is a great threat to all of mankind. With the rise in tourism, the spread of such strong pathogens is rapid, causing this threat to grow at an alarming rate. A gene found in a bug in India has been noted to have the ability to change any ordinary pathogen into a superbug.

Beside this growing danger, little can be done to stop these pathogens. Antibiotics are overused today, allowing the creation of these mutated diseases that are resistant to it. The United Kingdom strongly supports the scientific research being focussed on defeating these superbugs, and coming up with alternative methods to aid the immune system in defeating pathogens. The United Kingdom also supports the plan of having programs to educate the global public about the proper use of antibiotics, in addition to regulating the prescriptions and purchases of them. Overall, the United Kingdom feels that both only moderate use of antibiotics and research into alternative solutions for pathogens can aid this global issue.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: United States
Delegate Name: Thomas Mehall
School: Forest Hills Central High School

The issue of antibiotic resistant pathogens (ARP’s) is one of great severity, and could soon impact the health of everyone if not resolved efficiently and quickly. The United States experiences the same problems as many other countries do in that past carelessness with the handling of antibiotics has lead to new “super bugs” that are resistant to all forms of antibiotics. It is not until the past few years that the United States has come to recognize the problems of carelessly using antibiotics. The Unites States is now researching what harmful effects these new “super bug” viruses pose to the people of the United States and Other countries. MRSA is a potentially deadly antibiotic resistant pathogen that has been found in hospitals, and most recently in hog farms in the south. The fact that these bugs are being found in what will become a commercial product greatly alarms the United States. With these bugs being so close to our citizens it poses a great threat to health of our people. The United States is improving methods of using and producing antibiotics in order to reduce the number antibiotic resistant pathogens within the United States.

It is imperative that the United Nations aid in an international effort to reduce the number of ARP’s currently found within the world and to be able to stop that number from increasing. MRSA is just one example of how an ARP can spread to an industry that is so close to people’s lives. If more of these spread to the agricultural and food industries than the result could be devastating to a countries people. Many countries may not possess the funding needed to stop the spread of ARP’s within their own countries; this is where the United Nations can aid these countries by providing funding for the necessary equipment and programs. An international effort is needed in order to stop the ARP’s from spreading to far.

All countries should support an international effort to stop the spread of ARP’s. As with many diseases, the ARP’s have no conception of country boundaries so they can spread anywhere and everywhere if not looked after and taken care of. It is important for those countries close to each other to decide on an international effort to stop the spread of ARP’s.

For a country to not want to join a multi-national effort to join would be detrimental to that country, and it would impede on the efforts of other countries. Countries both rich and poor need to cooperate in order to effectively stop the ARP’s. Action should be taken quickly as to eliminate this problem swiftly and entirely.

Topic: Rise of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Gina Saab
School: Royal Oak High School

Venezuela recognizes the urgency of the anitbiotic-resistant pathogens issue and hopes that all of the participating delegates do because they will all be constructing a solution for it. Why is the issue of antibiotic resistant pathogens more prevalent in underdeveloped nations than developed ones? The answer is a lack of education on the use of antibiotics and healthcare.

Just as with the issue of blood supply and with most international health care issues, the components of the solution are Funds,Supplies, Education/Training, and Repayment.

First, the beauty of healthcare solutions is their ability to fund themselves. When a person is healthy, that person becomes an able body in a nation’s workforce. Therefore, the monetary value of an individual within a nation is equivalent to his/her annual salary. Likewise, if a person is sickly, he/she is consuming the resources of a nation without returning any value. Thus, health yields wealth and the consequence of sickness is increased debt. For this reason, Venezuela has a socialized health-care system: our people are an economic resource, and consequently we make our investment through this system. The funds are essentially the money that initially funds the project which will be received by institutions that are willing to make an investment in a nation’s health. The amount of money each nation has available to utilize for the antibiotic resistant bacteria issue’s resolution is equivalent to the equation M=pd, where M is the available money, p is the number of people currently sick and not working (who will be helped by this healthcare improvement), and d is the amount of money each individual would earn per year on average. This equation is derived from the fact that after health education increases and healthcare is improved, the economy of the nation will gain d dollars for each person who is made able to work and produce. Institutions who lend money in the form of certificates of deposit (CDs) to nations in need will be repaid, for example, $1.25 for every $1 they loan. This is the incentive for businesses. Thus, we have moved on to the issue of repayment. The money to repay the institutions who will have lent the money will be available because the nations workforce has increased as a result of better health.

The main supply necessary besides facilites for healthcare is the antibiotics themselves. Stronger antibiotics than what is currently available in many underdeveloped countries are needed to combat the stronger diseases. In order to prevent the misuse of these and thus create even stronger viruses, individuals must be instructed on the proper uses of antibiotics. Likewise, to make sure that the individuals are receiving their vaccinations (especially multipart vaccinations) at proper intervals, teams of healthcare workers should go to the homes of locals to give vaccinations. Facilites will be reserved for the first vaccination of a set and for the distribution of medicine.

At first, United Nations workers will occupy the countries and operate the facilites. However, the long term solution is that during this process "interns" who are locals will learn the technique of proper care. In this way, when the United Nations workers leave the country, it will be self-sufficient, and jobs will hjave been produced. The answer is in a long term, self-funded solution.