Drug-Resistant Superbugs Surge in Sweden and Worldwide
WHO warns antibiotic-resistant superbugs are increasing rapidly in Sweden and globally. One in six bacterial infections now resist treatment, turning common illnesses into potential killers. Resistance grew against 40% of studied antibiotics over five years.
Antibiotic-resistant infections are rising sharply in Sweden and globally. The World Health Organization issued this urgent warning about superbugs. One in six confirmed bacterial infections worldwide showed antibiotic resistance in 2023. This means medicines no longer work effectively against these bacteria. Common infections and wounds that were once treatable now pose deadly risks. Yvan J F Hutin leads WHO's antimicrobial resistance division. He said these findings are deeply worrying. We are running out of treatment options as antibiotic resistance grows, Hutin explained. This situation puts lives at direct risk. Superbugs resistant to antimicrobial medicines already cause over one million deaths annually. They contribute to nearly five million additional deaths each year. WHO studied resistance patterns for 22 different antibiotics. Researchers examined drugs used for urinary tract, gastrointestinal, and bloodstream infections. They also studied gonorrhea treatments. Resistance increased against 40% of studied medications over five years. The average annual increase ranged between 5% and 15%. This steady erosion of antibiotic effectiveness represents a quiet crisis in modern medicine. Health systems worldwide face growing threats from infections we once controlled easily.