WHO antibiotic resistance is increasing dramatically worldwide

700,000 deaths a year due to antibiotic resistance

The number of bacterial strains in which antibiotics are no longer effective is increasing dramatically, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns. The organization claims that antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to global health. A recent report shows that around 700,000 people die each year because conventional antibiotics are no longer effective. In the European Union, there are around 33,000 people every year. The number of victims is increasing every year.

As a result of the disturbing and rapidly growing problem, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have teamed up to create a new one Voice against the growing threat. In their joint statement, they call on governments to take action against resistance. Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to health, prosperity and food security in the 21st century.

Antibiotics is the most effective drug for bacterial diseases. As the resistance spreads so unhindered, the pills become increasingly ineffective. (Image: denisismagilov / fotolia.com)

Human and animal alike affected

As the WHO reports, we share the same bacteria, viruses and fungi as the animals. About 60 percent of all human diseases are from animal microbes. If pathogens with resistance to drugs develop in animals, it can easily happen that they spread to humans. The result: Many infectious diseases, which are usually well curable, suddenly become a life-threatening threat, because the most effective drugs fail.

Resistant bacteria - the children of modern livestock

The main reasons for the rapid increase sees the WHO in the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock. Here, the drug is not only used for treatment, but also for growth promotion and prevention. The frequent use leads to the fact that more and more resistant germs form in the intestine of the animals. These are eliminated, get into the manure and are distributed so worldwide on countless fields.

WHO calls for collective action

A country alone can not stop this development, warns the WHO, because: microbes have no limits. Cross-sectoral public health, veterinary and environmental protection measures are needed to curb the resistance. "I call on all European countries to ensure the highest level of commitment by society as a whole and the entire government to this approach," WHO Regional Director for Europe calls for. Zsuzsanna Jakab in a press release.

Antibiotics use must be more prudent

"With 33,000 deaths per year in Europe alone, as a result of infection by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a € 1 billion annual health bill, we must ensure that antibiotics are used more prudently," adds Andrea Ammon, Director of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDC). A transnational strategy must be developed, as the use of antibiotics differs greatly from country to country. The ECDC calls for action that works at all levels.

How can the problem be solved??

The WHO reports that it is first and foremost necessary to reduce the development of livestock resistance. Here is already the first improvement. "Many governments are overriding the use of antibiotics as growth promoters and preventative measures for livestock, and are only using antibiotics in healthy animals in exceptional cases," say WHO experts. But there are also countries that have not done so yet.

What is the situation in Germany??

Although the use of antibiotics in livestock is declining slightly, as a model Germany can not be mentioned here. According to the world's largest animal rights organization PETA, 733 tonnes of antibiotics were fed in German stables in 2017. Another study by the Julius Kühn Institute recently found resistant bacteria in many ready-made salad products in German supermarkets. A Laobor study by the environmental protection organization BUND was able to demonstrate antibiotic-resistant microbes in meat samples from Aldi, Lidl, Netto, Penny and Real. "Now is the time to act so that we do not lose our ability to heal humans and animals for generations," summed up WHO experts. (Vb)