The 'silent pandemic' makes it very difficult for the world to cope

This development, according to researchers, will make it difficult to prevent drug-resistant superbugs.

Antibiotic resistance (AMR) , which the World Health Organization (WHO) calls the "silent pandemic", is causing a global health crisis.

The United Nations health agency has previously declared AMR one of the top 10 global threats to human health and estimates that about 1.3 million people die directly each year from resistant pathogens. medicine .

WHO stressed that number is on track to "skyrocket" and, without urgent action, will lead to higher public health, economic and social costs, pushing more people into poverty, especially especially in low-income countries.

In the current context, antibiotics are drugs used to prevent and treat infections in humans and animals. However, abuse or overuse is the main cause of AMR .

Overuse of antibiotics is the main cause of AMR. (Illustrative photo: Getty Image).

AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites grow despite the presence of drugs designed to kill them. Recent research has shown that climate change is exacerbating the AMR crisis in many ways.

"Climate change is having a huge impact on our planet, especially as the earth's temperature increases, the more infectious diseases can be transmitted, including AMR bacteria" , Tina Joshi , Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the University of Plymouth, UK.

"Silent pandemic"

A report published by the United Nations Environment Program earlier this year called "Bracing for Superbugs" mentioned the role of the climate crisis and other environmental factors in the development, spread and infections associated with AMR conditions.

Specifically, it is likely that higher temperatures are linked to increased rates of antibiotic resistance gene spread among microorganisms, the emergence of AMR due to continued disruption of extreme weather events, and increased pollution. Increases create favorable conditions for bacteria to develop drug resistance.

Unusually record global temperatures mean 2023 will "almost certainly" be the warmest year on record, scientists said earlier this month . Extreme heat is caused by the climate crisis, making extreme weather more frequent and intense.

Mr. Robb Butler, Director of Infectious Diseases, Environment and Health at WHO Europe, described AMR as "an urgent global health challenge. It is a huge health burden and makes countries EU member countries have to pay about 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) each year in medical costs ," Mr. Butler said.

Mr. Robb Butler also expressed hope that the upcoming COP28 climate conference in the United Arab Emirates can provide a platform for international policymakers to begin to recognize the connection between the climate crisis and the climate crisis. post and AMR. The UAE will host the annual United Nations climate summit from November 30 to December 12.

"The problem, of course, is that antibiotics are controversial. They're expensive, they're high risk - and we've never seen an antibiotic developed with enough unique properties to avoid resistance." over the past 20 years. We have heard people talk about this silent pandemic, but we should not stay silent. We must discuss this issue more ," Mr. Butler emphasized.

According to Mr. Butler, perhaps the biggest concern is how to encourage industry leaders to address AMR at a time when they believe investment should only be focused on research and development areas. other - such as producing a highly profitable obesity drug, for example.

"I can think of how society could change depending on the more prudent use of antibiotics to avoid creating antibiotic resistance. But if there is absolutely nothing innovative then we almost lose. And that really worries me ," Mr. Butler emphasized.

University of Plymouth expert Joshi echoed the sentiment, describing the AMR diagnostic process as "completely broken" and calling on policymakers to urgently restore it.

Meanwhile, Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, said policymakers have not learned from the Covid-19 pandemic and said this could cause negative consequences. serious consequences for the AMR-related health crisis.

"I don't believe we have learned from the last Covid-19 pandemic and I also don't think we are better prepared for the next pandemic. One of my concerns is that bacteria can Antibiotic resistance will cause a silent pandemic. Therefore, we need to focus on preparing for such situations in the future ," Mr. Thomas Schinecker emphasized.