November 8, 2018.
An OECD report, published this Wednesday, November 7, 2018, is concerned about the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, due to their overconsumption around the world.
2.4 million people living in the OECD at risk of death
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), antibiotic-resistant bacteria could kill 2.4 million people by 2050 in 33 of 36 OECD countries (in Europe, North America and Australia). Children and the elderly are the first to be affected by this threat.
Bacteria also damage health systems and are a real money pit. ” These bacteria cost more than the flu, than AIDS, than tuberculosis. And they will cost even more if States do not act to resolve this problem ”, explained Michele Cecchini, specialist in public health at the OECD, at theAFP.
What solutions?
From ” simple measures And inexpensive can yet be implemented to save lives, experts say. According to them, to avoid catching germs, you have to ” encourage better hygiene “, such as washing your hands regularly.
Since overuse of antibiotics makes bacteria more resistant, the OECD also calls for ” stop overprescribing antibiotics “. Finally, generalizing rapid diagnostic tests to determine whether an infection is viral or bacterial could also lower antibiotic consumption.
Anne-Flore Renard
Read also: 7 things to know about antibiotics
