Serious concerns raised as health chiefs try to stop the overuse of antibiotics
Health chiefs have raised concerns after number of deaths from an antibiotic-resistant superbug soared in the last 12 months. 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.
The English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance (ESPAUR) report shows that most antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections in the last 6 years (65%) were caused by E.coli – a common cause of urinary tract infections. E.coli are bacteria found in many places like the intestines of people and animals. Most kinds of E.coli are harmless, but some can make you sick.
Some strains can make you sick with watery diarrhoea, vomiting and a fever. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is most likely to cause severe illness, including kidney damage.
What are the symptoms of an E. coli infection?
Symptoms of E. coli gastroenteritis include:
- Diarrhea. This is often watery and sometimes bloody.
- Stomach pains and cramps.
- Loss of appetite.
- Low fever.
- Watery diarrhoea is usually the first symptom of an E. coli infection in your GI tract. You can also have different symptoms depending on where in your body you’re infected.
What are symptoms of E. coli in your urinary tract?
If E. coli infects parts of your urinary tract, you might have:
- Abdominal or pelvic pain.
- Pain or burning sensation when you pee.
- An urgent need to pee frequently.
- Cloudy, foul-smelling pee.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria of any kind are less likely to respond to treatment, causing serious complications, including bacteraemia, sepsis, and hospitalisation. People who get a bacterial infection that is resistant to one or more antibiotics are more likely to die within 30 days compared to those who have an antibiotic-susceptible infection.
Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally but there are ways that it can be tackled, including by limiting antibiotic use to where it’s most needed. Between 2019 and 2024, NHS primary care antibiotic use decreased (from 14.21 to 13.96 DID), while private dispensing in community pharmacies more than doubled (1.95 to 3.93 DID). Overall, primary care antibiotic use (NHS and private non-NHS) rose by 10.7% between 2019 and 2024, reflecting a large rise in private prescriptions, with 22% of antibiotics in 2024 dispensed through the private sector.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said: “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.”
While anyone can acquire a resistant infection, adults over the age of 45 years continue to be the most at risk, accounting for 90% of cases. Nearly half (46.2%) were detected in people over 74.
Health Minister Zubir Ahmed said: “Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most serious threats to public health, both in the UK and globally. These figures demonstrate the scale of the challenge we face and underline why tackling AMR is a key priority for this government.
“It is deeply concerning that people in our most deprived communities are disproportionately affected by antibiotic-resistant infections. We are determined to address these inequalities as part of our 10 Year Health Plan to ensure everyone, no matter where they live, gets the care they need.
“We will continue working closely with UKHSA, the NHS and international partners to tackle this growing threat. Everyone has a role to play – by using antibiotics responsibly, taking up vaccinations, and following the advice of clinicians, we can all help preserve these vital medicines for future generations.”
