Scientists scramble to develop drugs to battle superbug

Experts say a new strain of bacteria responsible for deaths overseas is far worse than superbugs such as MRSA, which are already in Australian hospitals.

They are determined to develop new antibiotics capable of fighting the extreme drug resistance shown by the new superbug, which has evolved from the Acinetobacter pathogenic bacteria.

Professor David Paterson, who works for Queensland Health and the University of Queensland, has won a state government grant to aid the development of the new drugs.

He says there's no sign yet of the new superbug in Australian hospitals, but there's a risk it could be brought here by travellers.

"In some parts of Asia, Israel, Greece, Brazil and even New York City there are patients dying from infections resistant to every antibiotic commercially available," he told reporters at UQ's Centre for Clinical Research in Brisbane on Wednesday.

"So far we haven't had that in Australia but obviously we are frightened there's a potential we could have these super resistant bugs come to Australia.

"(The superbug) is virtually at our doorsteps in cities that many Australians frequent."

He said it was unlikely healthy people would pick up the new strain. But anyone who'd been in overseas hospitals where the bug was present were at risk, and could bring it home.

He said other superbugs had been brought to Australia in that way in the past. In fact, some of the Bali bombing victims had returned with drug resistant strains.

Prof Paterson's research will concentrate on developing new antibiotics to kill the superbugs.

He's also working with Queensland Health to develop policies to control the spread if the new superbug reaches Australian hospitals.