Signal Antimicrobial resistance linked to 24,000 deaths in Spain and more than 4.5 million worldwide in 2023

Summary

According to the report, antibiotic resistance was associated with 24,000 deaths in Spain and more than 4.5 million worldwide in 2023. The report describes bacterial resistance as a phenomenon that began decades ago and is already causing substantial harm. These figures show that as antibiotics lose effectiveness, infections once easily treated are becoming serious and hard to control. Recent projections suggest that if trends persist, annual deaths in Spain could climb to around 45,000 by 2050. Spain is among Europe's heaviest antibiotic users, with self-medication, unnecessary prescriptions and heavy use in livestock identified as problems. The report believes the national plan against antibiotic resistance and research into new vaccines, treatments and diagnostics can slow the trend.