Newsroom
More than 35,000 people die every year in European Union countries from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant “superbugs,” a toll health authorities warn will keep rising without urgent action.
According to Kathimerini's Penny Boulouza, Greece tops the EU in antibiotic consumption, logging 28.5 daily doses per 1,000 people, compared to the EU average of 20. Cyprus also ranks among the highest antibiotic users in the bloc and consistently reports high rates of hospital-acquired infections and some of Europe’s most stubborn drug-resistant bacteria.
According to Greece’s National Public Health Organization, 12.1% of hospital patients develop at least one healthcare-associated infection, and resistance levels in many bacteria exceed 50%, a pattern Cyprus has also seen in its own public hospitals.
To raise awareness and cut misuse, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control is rolling out a new campaign that enlists social media influencers across EU countries. Influencers will create posts and videos in their native languages urging people to use antibiotics wisely and only when needed.
The World Health Organization’s message for this year’s World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future," underscores the urgency. The WHO warns that drug-resistant infections are rising quickly, yet public awareness and investment are not keeping pace.
World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week runs from November 18–24.
