WHO updates list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has updated its list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that pose the most threat to human health, and have ranked 15 families of bacteria by grouping them as 'critical', 'high' and 'medium' threats.

- KAVITA BAJELI-DATT

The list provides guidance on the development of new and necessary treatments to stop the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines, making people sicker and increasing the risk of disease spread, illness and deaths. AMR is driven in large part by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials.

"By mapping the global burden of drug-resistant bacteria and assessing their impact on public health, this list is key to guiding investment and grappling with the antibiotics pipeline and access crisis," said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO's Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance ad interim. "Since the first Bacterial Priority Pathogens List was released in 2017, the threat of antimicrobial resistance has intensified, eroding the efficacy of numerous antibiotics and putting many of the gains of modern medicine at risk."