Health officials have issued a Monday morning alert warning that people across the UK are confronting 'one of the greatest health risks' as superbug infections surge to 400 a week. Fresh data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals not only an increase in antibiotic-resistant infections but also a rise in fatalities, with deaths climbing 16.6% from 2,041 in 2023 to 2,379 in 2024.
E.coli Identified as Primary Source
Specialists identified E.coli – a common cause of urinary tract infections – as the primary source of these infections over the past six years. According to the English surveillance programme for antimicrobial utilisation and resistance (ESPAUR) report, two in three antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections (65%) were attributable to E.coli. The UKHSA emphasised that addressing the problem may require rethinking antibiotic usage.
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.'
Rising Cases and Deaths
Figures released by the UKHSA reveal that the total number of antibiotic-resistant infections in 2024 amounts to an average of nearly 400 newly reported cases every week. Instances of bacteraemia caused by antibiotic resistance – a potentially fatal condition in which bacteria enter the bloodstream – have risen by 9.3% since 2023, climbing from 18,740 cases in 2023 to 20,484 cases in 2024. The estimated death toll among those with a resistant infection also rose by 338 fatalities in a single year.
The UKHSA stated that the report provides 'vital insights into the scale of the problem we face as the UK urgently tackles antibiotic resistance.' The agency is currently two years into a UK National Action Plan, spanning 2024 to 2029, aimed at addressing the growing threat.
Antibiotic Use Trends
Data reveals that between 2019 and 2024, NHS primary care antibiotic usage fell from 14.21 to 13.96 DID (defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day). However, private dispensing in community pharmacies almost doubled, from 0.37 to 0.66 DID. Overall, primary care antibiotic usage increased by 0.27% between 2019 and 2024, reflecting the growth in private prescriptions. By 2024, 4.5% of primary care antibiotics were dispensed via the private sector.
Professor Hopkins urged the public: '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.'
Inequalities in Infection Rates
Figures from 2024 reveal a growing disparity between those in the most and least deprived areas of society regarding the likelihood of contracting an antibiotic-resistant infection. People living in the most disadvantaged communities faced a 47.2% greater rate of resistant bacteraemia compared with those in the most affluent areas. The gap in rates between the most and least deprived communities has grown from a 29% disparity in 2019 to a 47% disparity in 2024. The UKHSA stated it was pressing ahead with efforts alongside partners to establish the causes behind these inequalities and develop targeted measures to address them.
Government and Expert Responses
Health Minister Zubir Ahmed stated: '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.'
Professor Matt Inada-Kim, National Clinical Director for Infection, Antimicrobial Resistance and Deterioration at NHS England, commented: 'Resistance to antibiotics is a growing problem and tackling it means looking at the full picture – from infection prevention and awareness about the proper use of antibiotics to same-day care, as well as rapid testing to help doctors give antibiotics only to those who really need them.'
Dr Nicola Rose, Interim Executive Director of Science and Research at the MHRA, added: 'These figures underline the growing impact of antibiotic-resistant infections, and why action across science, regulation and healthcare is vital. At the MHRA, we are working closely with partners across the health system to support efforts to slow the spread of resistance and help bring new treatments to patients more quickly.'
