Could Antibiotics Stop Working? Cornwall’s Public Health Team Issues Urgent Advice

Cornwall Council’s Public Health team is calling on residents to rethink how they use and dispose of antibiotics during World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week. The campaign highlights the rising threat of AMR, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) has ranked as one of the top 10 global health risks.

AMR occurs when bacteria no longer respond to antibiotics due to overuse or misuse in humans, animals, and plants. The issue also extends to antiseptics and antifungals, which treat viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Dr Ruth Goldstein, assistant director of public health at Cornwall Council, emphasised the severity of the problem, saying:
“Antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines have helped save millions of lives over the years and have significantly extended people’s life expectancy. But this could all change if they suddenly become ineffective.

“As resistance spreads, not only will years of scientific progress be wasted but everything we value in life – our health, our food security, the world and animals around us – is also at risk. This is why we need to act now, before it’s too late.”

The Growing Impact of AMR

AMR has dire consequences, making common infections harder, or even impossible, to treat. Globally, it contributes to around 5 million deaths each year and directly causes 1.3 million. Beyond its health impact, AMR also threatens food security and creates economic challenges in agriculture by spreading through the food chain.

Cllr Dr Andy Virr, cabinet member for adults and public health and an Emergency Department consultant, warned of the strain on health systems, saying:
“I can’t understate how serious a threat AMR poses to people’s health across Cornwall, the country and the whole world. It puts a huge strain on health systems by diminishing the effectiveness of treatments, leading to prolonged illnesses, loss of trust in healthcare and increased healthcare costs.

“At the same time, AMR poses a threat to food security as it can spread through the food chain, impacting animal, plant and human health and causing economic losses in the agricultural sector. This is why we all need to take it seriously and play our part in ensuring future generations can continue to benefit from antimicrobial medicines.”

How You Can Help

To combat AMR, Public Health Cornwall is urging people to take the following steps:

• Prevent infections by regularly washing your hands.
• Stay up to date with routine and travel vaccinations for yourself and your family.
• For common illnesses like coughs, colds, sore throats, and flu, consult a pharmacist about managing symptoms rather than requesting antibiotics.
• Only take antibiotics as prescribed, for the full duration detailed, and avoid using leftovers or sharing antibiotics.
• Return unused drugs to a vet or pharmacy rather than disposing of them in toilets, bins, or waste dumps, as this can contribute to resistance.
• Keep pets healthy with good nutrition, relevant vaccinations, worming, and regular veterinary check-ups.

More Information

For further details, visit the World AMR Awareness Week page.

Cornwall’s Public Health team stresses that individual actions can make a big difference in preserving the effectiveness of life-saving medicines for future generations.