The World Health Organisation considers antibiotic resistance to be one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development.

Bendigo Health’s manager of infection prevention control and infectious diseases Jane Hellsten said rates of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, had been declining in the hospital, reflecting a trend seen worldwide.

But she said antimicrobial-resistant strains of bacteria from people’s bowels were becoming increasingly common and that was of great concern.

While no untreatable strains had been seen at Bendigo Health, Mrs Hellsten said, it was not cause for complacency.

“We monitor it really closely,” Ms Hellsten said, adding that the hospital is required to scan all critical care patients twice a year for the presence of such microbes.

Antibiotic resistance can be prevented by minimising unnecessary use and overprescribing of antibiotics, completing entire courses of antibiotics, and practising good hygiene and using appropriate infection control measures.

The federal government has developed its first National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy to combat the threat posed by so-called superbugs.

Ms Hellsten said Bendigo Health had rigorous policies and procedures in place to both limit the risk of infection and minimise the risk of resistant strains of bacteria.

“Bendigo Health has a robust system in place which closely monitors antibiotic use and restricts use as appropriate,” she said.