New sex superbug could be global killer, doctors warn

 A SEX superbug spreading round the globe could become a global killer, doctors have warned.

The aggressive new HO41 strain of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea is resistant to antibiotics.

Medics warned of a looming "emergency" as hospitals run out of treatments to stop it spreading.

William Smith, executive director of the USA's National Coalition of STD Directors, said: "It's an emergency situation.

"As time moves on, it's getting more hazardous."

Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, which can usually be cleared up with antibiotics if found early.

The HO41 strain of the bacterium was discovered in Japan two years ago in a 31-year-old female sex worker who had been screened in 2009.

It has since been found in a small number of patients in Hawaii, California and Norway.

And because it resists most currently available drugs, it has been put in the same category as superbugs like MRSA - which kill thousands every year.

No deaths from HO41 have been reported so far but untreated gonorrhea can lead to potentially life-threatening blood infections and septic shock.

Mr Smith appealed to politicians for millions of dollars in funding to find new drugs to beat HO41.

He said: "We have to keep beating the drum on this. The potential for disaster is great.

"This strain is a very tricky bug and we don't have anything medically to fight it right now."

Alan Christianson, an American doctor specialising in natural therapy medicines, went further - saying the strain could be worse than AIDS.

He said: "This might be a lot worse than AIDS in the short run because the bacteria is more aggressive and will affect more people quickly."

He added: "Getting gonorrhea from this strain might put someone into septic shock and death in a matter of days. This is very dangerous."

Experts say the best way to avoid gonorrhea is not to have unprotected sex.  TheSun