Hundreds of people in England are being diagnosed with potentially life-threatening antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections every week, according to new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The agency reported 21,129 cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteraemia in 2025, equivalent to 406 episodes a week. This represented a 16.8 per cent increase from the 18,086 cases recorded in 2019.
The figures relate to bacteraemia, an infection in which bacteria enter the bloodstream, and cases resistant to one or more critically important antibiotics.
The rise forms part of the wider challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites develop the ability to withstand medicines used to treat the infections they cause.
However, UKHSA said the pace of increase had slowed. Cases rose by 3.2 per cent between 2024 and 2025, compared with a 9.3 per cent increase between 2023 and 2024.
There were also 2,318 deaths linked to resistant Gram-negative bacteraemia in 2025, slightly below the 2,399 recorded in 2024.
Which groups are most affected by antibiotic resistance?
Dr Shona Arora, interim chief medical adviser at UKHSA, said hundreds of people were facing the consequences of antibiotic-resistant infections every week, which could increase the risk of serious illness and death.
She said older people and those living in the most deprived communities continued to experience the greatest impact, although anyone could be affected.
Dr Arora said there were positive signs that efforts to encourage responsible antibiotic use were having an effect, but significant challenges remained.
The agency urged people to take antibiotics only when advised by a healthcare professional, avoid sharing medicines and never keep leftover antibiotics for future use.
Patients with unused antibiotics should return them to a pharmacy for appropriate disposal.
UKHSA also encouraged people to take up vaccinations for which they are eligible, as preventing infections can reduce the need for antibiotic treatment.
What is the role of pharmacies in tackling antimicrobial resistance?
Community pharmacies have an important role in promoting responsible antibiotic use and helping patients understand why antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed or recommended by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Pharmacists can reinforce advice on completing treatment as directed, avoiding the sharing of medicines and returning unused antibiotics for safe disposal.
They can also help patients understand that antibiotics are not effective against viral infections such as colds and flu, reducing pressure for unnecessary prescriptions.
The challenge has been recognised internationally for years. A 2016 review led by economist Lord Jim O'Neill warned that antimicrobial resistance could become a major global health threat without urgent action.
The review called for measures to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in developing new treatments.
The latest UKHSA figures underline the continuing need for responsible prescribing, infection prevention and public awareness as resistant infections remain a significant burden on healthcare services.
