WHO warns about the spread of drug-resistant bacteria

The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern on Monday about the increasing number of bacterial infections that are resistant to drugs, which undermines life-saving treatments and makes minor wounds or common infections potentially deadly.

The United Nations health agency warned that one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections in 2023 showed resistance to various antibiotic treatments.

“These findings are very concerning,” said Yvan J-F. Hutin, head of WHO’s Antimicrobial Resistance Department.

“As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, our treatment options are running out, and human lives are at risk.”

For years, some bacteria have developed resistance to drugs designed to combat them, rendering treatments completely ineffective.

Experts believe this situation is the result of widespread antibiotic use in humans, animals, and food production. Resistant bacteria cause around 1 million deaths per year and contribute to nearly five million additional deaths, according to WHO data.

The agency reached these findings after analyzing bacterial resistance to 22 antibiotics used to treat urinary tract, gastrointestinal, and bloodstream infections.

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