More than 1,2 million people worldwide in 2019 died as a result of infections caused by bacteria which have developed resistance to antibiotics, shows the most extensive study to date on this problem.

The poorest countries are hardest hit, but similarly to the unfair distribution of vaccines, antibiotic resistance is potentially threatening every corner of the globe.

The authors of the study, conducted by international researchers, led by those from the University of Washington, warn against overuse of antibiotics to treat trivial infections, which over time reduces their effect on serious infections.

"People are now dying from common infections, which used to be easy to treat because the bacteria that cause them have become more resistant to treatment," the study said.

In addition to the "reasonable" use of available drugs, it calls for more investment in the development of new and more effective antibiotics.

British health officials recently warned that antimicrobial resistance was a "covert pandemic" that could erupt as a side effect of covid-19 if doctors did not prescribe antibiotics responsibly.

Data from 204 countries were analyzed for the research. Calculations show that in 2019, antibiotic-resistant bacteria directly caused 1,2 million deaths, and played a role in another 3,8 million deaths. By comparison, 640.000 people died of malaria during that period, and 860.000 died of AIDS.

Of the resistant bacteria, the most deadly were those that attack the respiratory system and bloodstream, especially MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Escherichia coli. Children under the age of five are the most vulnerable. One in five deaths in this category was caused by resistant bacteria.

"Investments must be made in preventing infections, then the proper and calculated use of existing antibiotics must be ensured, and finally new antibiotics must be introduced to the market," said Dr. Ramana Lakshminarayan of the Washington Center for Dynamics, Economics and Infection Policy.