Health authorities in England are raising the alarm as fatalities linked to antibiotic-resistant infections have significantly increased over the past year. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) released new surveillance data showing that nearly 400 new cases of antibiotic-resistant infections are reported weekly in 2024.
Cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteraemia—a severe infection where bacteria enter the bloodstream—have risen by 9.3% compared to 2023, increasing from 18,740 to 20,484 reported infections. Correspondingly, deaths among those with resistant infections climbed from 2,041 in 2023 to 2,379 in 2024, an increase of 338 deaths in just one year.
The latest English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) report reveals that E. coli bacteria are responsible for 65% of antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections over the last six years. While typically harmless and found in human and animal intestines, certain strains of E. coli can cause illness, ranging from urinary tract infections to severe conditions such as kidney damage—especially from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
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Symptoms of E. coli infections vary but often include watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever. When infections become resistant to antibiotics, treatment becomes difficult, potentially leading to serious complications like sepsis, hospitalisation, and increased mortality within 30 days of infection.
Efforts to combat antibiotic resistance focus on reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. Although antibiotic use in NHS primary care has slightly decreased from 14.21 to 13.96 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID) between 2019 and 2024, private antibiotic dispensing in community pharmacies more than doubled, causing an overall 10.7% increase in antibiotic use when combining NHS and private sector data. Notably, 22% of antibiotics in 2024 were dispensed privately.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Executive of UKHSA, emphasized the seriousness of antibiotic resistance, stating, “More people than ever are acquiring infections that cannot be effectively treated by antibiotics, putting them at greater risk of serious illness and even death, with our poorest communities hit the hardest.” She called for prudent antibiotic use, proper disposal of unused medication, and increased vaccination uptake to prevent infections.
The data further show that individuals over 45 years of age are most vulnerable to resistant infections, accounting for 90% of cases, with nearly half (46.2%) occurring in those aged 74 and above.
Health Minister Zubir Ahmed acknowledged the severity of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its disproportionate impact on deprived communities. He affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing these inequalities through its 10 Year Health Plan and highlighted the importance of responsible antibiotic use, vaccinations, and adherence to clinical advice as crucial steps in preserving the efficacy of vital medicines.