Antibiotic-resistant infections in England increased by 16.8% between 2019 and 2025, with hundreds of new cases diagnosed every week, according to new data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The figures show 21,129 antibiotic-resistant bacteraemia cases were reported in 2025, up from 18,086 in 2019. Officials said this is the equivalent of 406 episodes each week. Bacteraemia is a potentially life-threatening infection where bacteria are present in the bloodstream.
Slower Pace of Increase
While infections continue to rise, the rate of increase slowed in the most recent data. Cases rose by 3.2% between 2024 and 2025, compared with a 9.3% increase between 2023 and 2024.
There were 2,318 deaths linked to resistant Gram-negative bacteraemia in 2025, a slight reduction from 2,399 deaths in 2024.
What Is Antimicrobial Resistance?
AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve to resist the drugs that combat the infections they cause, making the drugs ineffective. Antimicrobial drugs are used to destroy harmful microbes. Antibiotics are the best known of these drugs, but there are others, such as antivirals, antimalarial drugs and antifungals.
The new UKHSA report highlights increased resistance, estimated from cases of bacteraemia that are resistant to one or more critically important antibiotics.
Impact on Communities and Public Advice
Dr Shona Arora, interim chief medical advisor at UKHSA, said: "Every week hundreds of people face a new reality of what it means to get an antibiotic-resistant infection, which can increase the risk of serious illness, and even death."
She added: "Our most deprived communities and older generations continue to be hit hardest by the effects of antimicrobial resistance, although anyone can be impacted. It is positive to see signs that ongoing efforts to promote responsible antibiotic use are having an impact but there are still significant challenges as resistant infections continue to increase."
Dr Arora said: "We can't rely on reducing antibiotic use alone. We need to continue our work with partners globally to prevent infections from occurring in the first place, alongside exploring new treatment options. The public can play their part too. 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 take them to a pharmacy which can dispose of them appropriately."
She also urged people to take up vaccinations they are eligible for to help stop infections in the first place.
In 2016, a seminal report on AMR by Lord Jim O'Neill concluded that resistance to drugs used to fight infections could cause a bigger threat to mankind than cancer. The report called for urgent action to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and incentivise pharmaceutical companies to join the hunt for new treatments.
