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NDTV
23-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Superbugs Threaten Millions Of Lives And $2 Trillion Loss By 2050, Study Warns
A new study warns that antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" could kill millions more people globally and cost the world economy nearly $2 trillion each year by 2050. The UK government-funded research, conducted by the Center for Global Development think tank, reveals that rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could cause annual global GDP losses of around \$1.7 trillion over the next 25 years. Wealthy nations such as the US, UK, and EU are expected to face some of the heaviest economic and health impacts. The findings have sparked criticism over recent international aid cuts. The UK government recently announced the end of funding for the Fleming Fund, which helps combat AMR in low- and middle-income countries. Similarly, the Trump administration confirmed \$9 billion in cuts to its foreign aid budget, while several European nations have also reduced overseas aid spending. Experts say such measures are short-sighted, as tackling AMR globally is vital to protect health systems and economies worldwide. Without urgent action, drug-resistant infections could become one of the biggest health and economic threats of the century. Anthony McDonnell, the lead author of the research and a policy fellow at the Center for Global Development, told The Guardian:"When we conducted our research on the economic impacts of antimicrobial resistance, it was anticipated that resistance rates would continue to follow historical trends. "However, the sudden cuts to Official Development Assistance by the US, which has cut its aid spend by roughly 80%; the UK, which has announced aid cuts from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income; and substantial reductions by France, Germany, and others, could drive up resistance rates in line with the most pessimistic scenario in our research. "Even countries that have been successful in keeping AMR rates under control cannot afford to be complacent. Unless AMR programmes are protected from aid cuts, resistance rates across the world will likely increase at a rate in line with the worst-affected countries. "This would result in millions more people dying worldwide, including across G7 nations. Investing in treatment for bacterial infections now will save lives and deliver billions in long-term economic returns." The research calculated the economic and health burden of antibiotic resistance for 122 countries and forecast that in that in this most pessimistic scenario, by 2050, GDP losses in China could reach just under $722bn a year, the US $295.7bn, the EU $187bn, Japan $65.7bn and the UK $58.6bn.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Superbugs could kill millions and trigger $2 trillion economic meltdown by 2050
A recent study highlights an impending global catastrophe: antimicrobial resistance threatens to claim millions of lives. By 2050, the global economy could suffer losses amounting to trillions of dollars. Major economies, including the US, UK, and China, are at risk of severe financial repercussions. Experts emphasize the urgent need for investments in innovative antibiotics and enhanced infection control measures. MRSA bacteria in a petri dish. The US, UK and EU economies are on course to be among those hardest hit by antimicrobial resistance. Photograph: Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads By 2050, if the increase in antimicrobial resistance AMR ) is not stopped, superbugs could kill millions more people and cost the world economy around $2 trillion annually, according to new Centre for Global Development, a report supported by the UK government, cautions that rising AMR rates might deplete global GDP by $1.7 trillion a year over the next 25 read: Untreatable fungal infections are now killing nearly 3.8 mn each year, WHO experts sound alarm Economies such as the US, UK, and EU are projected to suffer some of the heaviest financial blows, leading critics to slam recent cuts to foreign aid budgets as short-sighted and harmful. Fleming Fund , aimed at AMR combatThese concerns follow the UK's recent decision to scrap funding for the Fleming Fund, a programme dedicated to combating AMR in lower-income nations. Similar aid reductions have been made by the US, which slashed its overseas aid by 80%, and various European to the study's worst-case scenarios, Anthony McDonnell, the principal author, cautioned that these aid cuts could hasten resistance rates worldwide. Even nations that are now efficiently handling the threat run the danger of seeing rising infection rates and death tolls in the absence of specialised AMR modelling, which examined the economic and health burden of AMR across 122 nations, forecasts stark worst-case scenario is that by 2050, China's yearly GDP losses might amount to $722 billion, the US $295.7 billion, the EU $187 billion, Japan $65.7 billion, and the UK $58.6 read: AI stuns scientists : Superbug mystery solved in 48 hours after decade long research According to data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the number of deaths from AMR is expected to increase by 60% by 2050, reaching 1.34 million deaths in the US and 184,000 in the UK a sharp increase in drug-resistant bacterial infections is anticipated, which will result in more hospital stays, longer treatment durations, and higher medical cost of treating these infections is already around double that of treating non-resistant the health costs of AMR could rise to $176 billion a year. The UK's annual health bill could surge from $900 million to $3.7 billion, and the US from $15.5 billion to nearly $57 knock-on effect would shrink workforces too: 0.8% in the UK, 0.6% in the EU, and 0.4% in the US. However, the study suggests that investing in solutions, such as developing new antibiotics and improving infection treatment, could deliver substantial economic 2050, the US economy could grow by $156.2 billion annually and the UK by $12 billion if action is Dr. Mohsen Naghavi emphasised that AMR is becoming a bigger threat. Once-treatable illnesses could turn deadly in the absence of immediate, concerted read: Fighting superbugs: New paper-based platform enables rapid antibiotic-resistance screening Policy reforms, the creation of novel medications, and increased public knowledge of the limitations of antibiotics in treating viral infections are all necessary for solutions.A representative representing the UK government reiterated their dedication to combating AMR by developing vaccines, reducing the use of antibiotics in agriculture, and supporting novel treatments. According to the administration, it is still working with other countries to stop the development of antibiotic resistance.
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Zimbabwe makes strides in reducing antimicrobial use in poultry with FAO support
Zimbabwe is making significant progress in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within its poultry sector, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Zimbabwe. Through a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) supported project and the Fleming Fund global project, the initiative has successfully reduced the overuse of antimicrobials in the broiler value chain by empowering farmers with sustainable and biosecure poultry production practices. Antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat to global health, food security, and economic stability. The overuse of antimicrobials in livestock production contributes significantly to this problem, leading to the development of resistant bacteria that can spread to humans, making infections harder to treat. The project, implemented in eight districts – Bubi, Chegutu, Masvingo, Marondera, Murewa, Mutare, Mutasa, and Zvimba – employed the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach to promote improved husbandry practices. This hands-on, participatory method equips farmers with the knowledge and skills to enhance biosecurity, prevent diseases, and ultimately reduce their reliance on antimicrobials. Speaking at a recent project review meeting, Berhanu Bedane, FAO Livestock Development Officer, emphasized the project's impact. "This initiative has demonstrated the value and impact of the One Health approach, where sectors across human and animal health collaborated to address the shared threat of antimicrobial resistance," he stated. He highlighted that FAO's focus was on delivering practical, evidence-based interventions directly to the animal health sector. The FFS model proved instrumental in achieving these goals. By providing farmers with tailored training and communication materials, the project fostered a deeper understanding of disease prevention and the importance of responsible use of antimicrobials. A baseline Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey informed the development of these materials, ensuring they were relevant and effective. "The farmer field schools have been empowering poultry farmers through hands-on training in sustainable and biosecure poultry production," Bedane explained. "This enhances poultry productivity while simultaneously reducing the use of antimicrobials through the reduction of infections, making our health more secure and sustainable." He also noted similar initiatives in the dairy value chain aimed at understanding and reducing antimicrobial use through prudent biosecurity and animal health management systems. The Chief Director of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Dr Pious Makaya echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the project's alignment with Zimbabwe's national development priorities, as outlined in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the broader Vision 2030. "What we have heard today is in sync with the national development imperatives that we have," he said. He specifically highlighted the project's contribution to key national priorities such as health and well-being, food security, and food safety. "Our health would be enhanced and improved, and also the health of the animals as well, the health of the environment as well would also be improved," he stated, adding that enhanced animal health improves livestock production and promotes food safety. The DVS Chief Director recognized the complexity of tackling AMR, describing it as a "wicked problem" requiring multifaceted solutions. "We cannot have one single solution. It is not a linear problem," he emphasized, underscoring the importance of the multi-sectoral approach adopted by the MPTF and Fleming fund projects. He also stressed the need for continuous review and adaptation of strategies to keep pace with the evolving nature of AMR. Looking ahead, both FAO and the Government of Zimbabwe reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining momentum in the fight against AMR. Berhanu Bedane stated that FAO and its partners in the Quadripartite are fully committed to maintaining momentum. He also pointed towards consolidating the achievements realized and identifying clear pathways for continued collaboration in the implementation of Zimbabwe's AMR National Action Plan 2.0. The country is also being considered for a phase two of the MPTF project. The success of this collaborative initiative demonstrates the power of partnerships and the effectiveness of empowering farmers with knowledge and tools to adopt sustainable practices. These achievements also contribute to broader global goals under the RENOFARM initiative (Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms), which promotes reduced antimicrobial reliance through strengthened biosecurity, preventive animal health strategies, and improved farming practices. By reducing the reliance on antimicrobials in livestock production, Zimbabwe is taking a crucial step toward safeguarding public health, promoting food security, and protecting the environment for future generations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.
