Antimicrobial Resistance
1.05 million deaths associated with bacterial AMR in the WHO African Region. Western sub-Saharan Africa has the world's highest AMR-attributable death rate. AMR deaths exceed HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.
↑ Rising — West Africa among fastest globally
Burden
In the WHO African Region in 2019, there were an estimated 1.05 million deaths associated with bacterial AMR and 250,000 deaths directly attributable to bacterial AMR. Western sub-Saharan Africa has the world’s highest AMR-attributable death rate at 27.3 per 100,000.
AMR-linked deaths in WHO AFRO exceed those caused by HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.
Leading Pathogens
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus each caused over 100,000 associated deaths.
Drivers
- Over-the-counter antibiotic sales
- Low laboratory and diagnostic capacity
- Poor infection prevention and control
- Livestock antibiotic use
- Contaminated water
Response
Africa CDC’s African Union AMR Landmark Report (August 2024) calls AMR “a greater threat than HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria combined.” The annual funding gap for AMR is estimated at $2–6 billion.
“AMR-linked deaths in the WHO African region exceed those caused by HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.”IHME, December 2023