Italy faces alarming death toll from antibiotic-resistant infections

More than one-third of European deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria occur in Italy, with approximately 12,000 Italians dying annually, a new EU health report reveals.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published these findings on European Antibiotic Awareness Day, highlighting the mounting crisis of antimicrobial resistance across the continent.

The report shows that whilst the EU aims to slash antibiotic use by 20% before 2030, consumption actually rose by 1% between 2019 and 2023, moving further from this target.

Health experts warn that without urgent intervention, antibiotic resistance could become Italy’s leading cause of death by 2050, overtaking both heart disease and cancer.

“These statistics paint a concerning picture for Italian public health”, the report states. The ECDC emphasises that addressing this crisis requires immediate action to curtail unnecessary antibiotic use and bolster preventive healthcare measures.

The findings are particularly troubling as Italy accounts for 12,000 of the 35,000 annual deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections across the EU and European Economic Area.

Medical authorities stress that tackling this growing threat requires a coordinated approach, including stricter controls on antibiotic prescriptions, enhanced infection prevention protocols, and increased public awareness about appropriate antibiotic use.