NEW national surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveal a worrying surge in antibiotic-resistant infections across the UK. In 2024, the country recorded an average of nearly 400 new antibiotic-resistant infections each week, marking a significant public health challenge.
Cases of life-threatening antibiotic-resistant bacteraemia, where bacteria enter the bloodstream, rose by 9.3% from 18,740 cases in 2023 to 20,484 in 2024. Estimated deaths among people with resistant infections climbed from 2,041 to 2,379 in just one year, highlighting the growing human cost of drug resistance.
E.coli Remains the Main Culprit
The English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) reported that 65% of resistant bloodstream infections over the past six years were caused by E. coli, a common cause of urinary tract infections. Adults aged over 45 years remain most vulnerable, with nearly half of cases detected in people over 74 years of age.
Changing Patterns in Antibiotic Use
Although NHS primary care antibiotic use in 2024 remained below pre-pandemic levels, private prescribing has surged, more than doubling since 2019. Overall, primary care antibiotic use rose by 10.7% between 2019 and 2024, with 22% of prescriptions now dispensed through the private sector.
The report also highlights stark inequalities. People in the most deprived areas are 47.2% more likely to acquire antibiotic-resistant infections than those in the least deprived regions, a gap that has widened since 2019.
Urgent Call for Action
With antibiotic resistance rising and deaths increasing, the UK faces a serious public health threat. Experts warn that tackling antimicrobial resistance requires a multifaceted approach, including responsible prescribing, vaccination, infection prevention, rapid diagnostics, and the development of new treatments. UKHSA and NHS leaders emphasise the importance of public vigilance: antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed, never shared or saved for later.
Reference
UKHSA. Nearly 400 antibiotic-resistant infections each week in 2024. 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nearly-400-antibiotic-resistant-infections-each-week-in-2024. Last accessed: 13 November 2025.
