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"WHO: 1 in 6 Global Bacterial Infections Now Resistant to Antibiotics"
A 2023 report by the World Health Organization reveals that one in six bacterial infections globally is now resistant to antibiotics, highlighting a critical public health crisis.
- In 2023, the World Health Organization reported that one in six infections globally were caused by pathogenic bacteria resistant to antibiotic treatment.
- The report identified the South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions as having the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in bloodstream and urinary tract infections.
- Among the resistant pathogens, Escherichia coli and gonorrhea were noted as major contributors to the rising public health threat posed by antibiotic resistance.
Why It Matters
The rise of antimicrobial resistance threatens to outpace advancements in medicine, jeopardizing treatment efficacy and leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates from common infections. This trend underscores the urgent need for global strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.