India, Oct. 14 -- New data released by WHO shows that one in six bacterial infections globally are resistant to standard antibiotics, endangering millions and straining health systems worldwide.

According to the agency's latest surveillance report, antibiotic resistance rose in more than 40 per cent of the bacteria-drug combinations tracked between 2018 and 2023, with average annual increases ranging from 5 to 15 per cent. "Antimicrobial resistance is outpacing advances in modern medicine, threatening the health of families worldwide," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "As countries strengthen their AMR surveillance systems, we must use antibiotics responsibly and make sure everyone has access to the right medicines, ...