Antibiotic resistant infections and associated deaths increase

Antibiotic resistance is once again on the rise after declines in the pandemic, with more dangerous strains of bacteria spreading in communities and hospitals.

The latest national surveillance data, announced at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) annual conference in Leeds today, shows that an estimated 58,224 people in England had an antibiotic resistant infection in 2022 – a rise of 4% since 2021 (55,792). Deaths due to severe antibiotic resistant infections also increased from 2021 to 2022 (from 2,110 to 2,202). 

Antibiotic use in England declined from 2014 to 2020, with large drops in 2020 related to the pandemic. However, latest data now shows a reversal in this downward trend, with antibiotic use in all settings (apart from dental) increasing in 2022. Total prescribing rose by 8.4% in 2022 compared with 2021, although remains below 2019 pre-pandemic levels.