When antibiotics stop working: Europe's growing superbug threat
Antimicrobial resistance, responsible for an estimated 35,000 deaths each year in the European Union, is spreading across humans, animals and the environment, prompting calls for a broader approach to tackling one of public health's biggest challenges.
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine, rendering once-deadly infections treatable. However, the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs, poses a growing threat to global health. In the European Union, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is linked to approximately 35,000 annual deaths, a toll comparable to the combined impact of influenza, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
Professor Fiona Walsh of Maynooth University in Ireland explains that antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to withstand the drugs typically used to kill them. In severe cases, multidrug-resistant bacteria may necessitate the use of multiple antibiotics, but sometimes even these combinations prove ineffective, ultimately leading to patient fatalities.
The situation is expected to worsen. A study published in The Lancet forecasts that bacterial AMR could directly cause 39 million deaths worldwide between 2025 and 2050. Several factors contribute to the spread of resistance, including antibiotic overuse in humans, use in animals, poor sanitation, and environmental pollution. Bacteria and their resistance genes can traverse between humans, animals, and the environment, which has prompted researchers to adopt a holistic One Health approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Walsh emphasizes that there are diverse strategies to combat bacteria, and researchers are actively exploring new methods to protect against antibiotic resistance. Vaccines play a crucial role in reducing infections and, consequently, the demand for antibiotics. The World Health Organization estimates that enhancing vaccine use could cut global antibiotic consumption by 2.5 billion doses annually.
Maintaining good health is vital, as it reduces the likelihood of contracting infections that require antibiotic treatment, particularly among older individuals and those with compromised immune systems.
Moreover, Walsh underscores the importance of nurturing a healthy bacterial system within our bodies, including our gut, skin, and mouth. These bacteria are essential for our well-being. However, excessive use of antibiotics and disinfectants can jeopardize the body's natural defenses. Walsh believes that the solution to the superbug threat lies not only in developing new antibiotics but also in focusing on vaccines, wastewater treatment, and improving animal health throughout the food chain.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
