Expert warns drug-resistant superbugs could surpass Covid severity

Davies, who is the UK’s special envoy on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), lost her goddaughter to an untreatable infection two years ago. This is a very sad situation. Unlike viruses that eventually disappear, AMR won't go away on its own. Without new treatments, it will continue for a long time. The UK government recently announced a plan to address AMR. They aim to reduce the use of antimicrobials in humans and animals, improve monitoring of drug-resistant infections, and encourage the development of new drugs and vaccines. Davies has been warning about AMR for over ten years. The issue became personal when her goddaughter, Emily Hoyle, passed away from a drug-resistant infection at 38. Davies believes that if AMR is not controlled, it could cause more deaths than climate change. Efforts are being made globally to reduce the misuse of antibiotics, but progress was slowed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The lack of new antibiotics in recent years has made the situation more complex, involving both healthcare and agriculture. It is crucial to use antimicrobials carefully to prevent the situation from worsening. The UN will hold a meeting in September to set targets for 2030, including reducing global deaths from AMR by 10% and cutting antimicrobial use in agriculture by at least 30%. The goal is to stop using important antimicrobials in farming when they are not necessary. This will help prevent the development of superbugs that are resistant to current drugs.