The UK Health Security Agency revealed that antimicrobial resistance contributed to 2,379 deaths in England in 2024, marking a significant rise from prior years and underscoring the escalating global threat where bacteria resist antibiotics, turning routine infections fatal.
National surveillance data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that the total number of antibiotic-resistant infections in 2024 equates to an average of nearly 400 newly reported cases per week.
Cases of bacteraemia caused by antibiotic-resistance, a life-threatening infection where bacteria circulate in the blood, have increased by 9.3% since 2023, rising from 18,740 cases in 2023 to 20,484 cases in 2024.
The estimated number of deaths in people with a resistant infection also increased from 2,041 deaths in 2023 to 2,379 deaths in 2024, an increase of 338 deaths in one year.
Health experts, including Professor Susan Hopkins, warn against misuse like sharing prescriptions or self-medication, which fosters resistant strains affecting entire communities.
According to Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Executive of UKHSA:” Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest health threats we face.
“More people than ever are acquiring infections that cannot be effectively treated by antibiotics. This puts them at greater risk of serious illness and even death, with our poorest communities hit the hardest.
“We are united with partners globally in finding new ways to tackle this complex problem.
“This includes using antibiotics in a way that doesn’t contribute to the spread of resistance, researching new types of treatments and preventing infections from occurring in the first place.
“It’s positive that we’ve seen antibiotic use fall in England within the NHS but we need to go further, faster.
“Please remember to only take antibiotics if you have been told to do so by a healthcare professional. Do not save some for later or share them with friends and family. If you have leftover antibiotics, please bring them to a pharmacy for appropriate disposal.
“It’s also important to take up the vaccinations you are eligible for to help stop infections in the first place.” She added
Amid World AMR Awareness Week, initiatives promote proper antibiotic use and hygiene to avert projections of 10 million annual deaths by 2050.