Â鶹ӰÊÓ

Skip to main content

Antibiotic-resistant infections are killing millions of people, report says

In this Nov. 7, 2008 file photo, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonies from a Seattle hospital patient grow in a blood agar plate at a local lab in Seattle. (Mike Siegel/The Seattle Times via AP) In this Nov. 7, 2008 file photo, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonies from a Seattle hospital patient grow in a blood agar plate at a local lab in Seattle. (Mike Siegel/The Seattle Times via AP)
Share

More than one million people died from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections worldwide in 2019, a , more than the annual death toll from malaria or AIDS.

The estimate of global deaths comes from analysis of 204 countries by a joint team of international researchers who were led by the University of Washington in the U.S. and partially funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Researchers estimated that up to 4.95 million people died in 2019 from illnesses related to antibiotic-resistant infections, on top of the 1.2 million they found who died from them directly.

The death toll of AIDS in 2019 was estimated at 860,000 and that of malaria at 640,000.

The death rates were highest in western sub-Saharan Africa, the study said, and lowest in Australia. Lower respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and blood infections, which can lead to sepsis and death, accounted for more than 1.5 million deaths associated with antimicrobial resistance in 2019.

The report states that poorer countries are more affected by antibiotic resistance infections, but that the phenomenon is a global health issue.

The six leading bacteria for deaths associated with resistance were Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia , Streptococcus pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The overuse of antibiotics for less severe infections means that the drugs are becoming less effective against serious infections, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and the report says that investment in new drugs and using current ones more sparingly is recommended. 

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A northern Ontario man is facing a $12,000 fine after illegally shooting a moose near the Batchawan River.

Police have arrested an 18-year-old woman who allegedly stole a Porsche and then ran over its owner in an incident that was captured on video.

A body has been found in the vicinity where a woman went missing on the Ottawa River near Pembroke, Ont. while kayaking Tuesday night, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Local Spotlight

Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.

Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.

The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.

It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.