There is compelling evidence that bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi are developing resistance to antimicrobials. As a result, infections in humans, animals, and plants are becoming increasingly difficult, and in some cases impossible, to treat. Drug resistance is becoming one of the global health threats against widespread bacterial infections.
The last COVID-19 pandemic and the mobilization by the scientific community to develop an efficient vaccine are still on everyone's minds. Late August 2024, the World Health Organisation warned about the swift spread of a new virulent strain of Monkeypox across Africa and declared it a public health emergency of international concern. According to the UN, bacterial drug resistance causes around 700,000 deaths each year, and it is estimated that 300 million premature deaths can be recorded by 2050.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission have identified antibiotic resistance as one of the top three health threats of the 21st century. No drugs or therapeutic approaches can effectively combat bacterial resistance to antimicrobials. This poses a serious risk to hospitalized patients and contributes to the spread of these resistant organisms within the general population, beyond clinical environments.
Key facts Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria change, making antibiotics less effective or useless. Bacteria can become resistant when antibiotics are overused or misused. Resistant bacteria can spread bet.