Millions are dying from antimicrobial resistance, according to a new report

The article, ‘Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis’, is believed to be the largest study of the issue to date and reveals that up to five million people died in 2019 from illnesses in which AMR played a role - on top of the 1.2 million deaths it caused directly.

According to BBC News, in the same year, Aids (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is thought to have caused 860,000 deaths and malaria 640,000.

The broadcaster also reported, “The overuse of antibiotics in recent years for trivial infections means they are becoming less effective against serious infections.

“Using patient records from hospitals, studies and other data sources, the researchers say young children are at most risk, with about one in five deaths linked to AMR being among the under-fives.”