health
Climate crisis is accelerating antibiotic resistance across world, study says
Experts say climate change linked to 10% rise in salmonella antibiotic resistance genes between 1940 and 2023
TL;DR
- Climate change is linked to a 10% global increase in salmonella antibiotic resistance genes from 1940 to 2023.
- This climate-driven acceleration adds to the existing threat of antibiotic misuse and overuse.
- Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can amplify the abundance and spread of antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria.
- The study analyzed over 480,000 salmonella samples from 139 countries.
- Increases in antibiotic resistance genes were observed in 82% of the countries studied.
- The strongest climate-associated increases were noted in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Experts emphasize the need to integrate climate change mitigation policies with antimicrobial stewardship and One Health surveillance.
- Urgent action is required to combat the future burden of antimicrobial resistance.