Scientists have warned of the risk of increased mortality due to antibiotic resistance

The spread of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the achievements of modern medicine. According to forecasts published in The Lancet magazine, in the period from 2025 to 2050, microbial resistance may cause the death of 39 million people worldwide.

Currently, about 35,000 people per year die from the effects of drug resistance in the European Union alone. Experts compare the impact of this problem on public health with the combined effects of influenza, tuberculosis and HIV./AIDS.

Fiona Walsh, a professor at the University of Maynooth in Ireland, explained in an interview with Euronews that with multidrug resistance, standard treatment methods stop working. Doctors are forced to combine several types of drugs, but in some cases even such measures are ineffective, leading to fatal outcomes.

"Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria cannot be treated with the drugs we normally use," Walsh said.

Scientists cite uncontrolled drug use by people, the widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, poor sanitation and environmental pollution as the main factors in the spread of resistance. Bacteria and their genetic material, which provides protection against drugs, can be transmitted between humans and animals, as well as preserved in the ecosystem. In this regard, researchers are calling for an approach that considers the state of man, animals and nature as an inseparable whole.

In addition to developing new drugs, experts suggest focusing on prevention. The World Health Organization estimates that increased vaccination could reduce global antibiotic consumption by 2.5 billion doses per year.

"Bacteria also fight bacteria, and if our body has its own healthy bacterial system, then it can help fight infection," Walsh emphasized.

She also warned against excessive use of disinfectants and unjustified medication, as this destroys the natural intestinal and skin microflora necessary to protect the body. Scientists cite improving wastewater treatment and raising animal welfare standards at all stages of the food chain as systemic measures to combat the threat.