Study links climate change to rising antibiotic resistance in salmonella
The Story
A study published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal has found that climate change is associated with a 10% global increase in salmonella antibiotic resistance genes between 1940 and 2023. Researchers from the UK, France, Australia, Switzerland and China analyzed more than 480,000 salmonella samples from 139 countries. The study found that 82% of countries studied had increases, with the strongest climate-associated increases in the Middle East and north Africa, south Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Key Facts
- The study analyzed genomes of over 480,000 salmonella samples from 139 countries collected between 1940 and 2023.
- Climate change is associated with a 10% global increase in salmonella antibiotic resistance genes from 1940 to 2023.
- 82% of countries studied had increases in antibiotic resistance genes in salmonella.
- The strongest climate-associated increases were in the Middle East and north Africa, followed by south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
- The main drivers of antibiotic resistance remain misuse and overuse of antibiotics, but climate change is worsening the problem.
- The study was published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal.
- Researchers included scientists from the UK, France, Australia, Switzerland and China.
- The study showed a link but did not prove direct causation.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
The study found a link but did not prove that climate change directly caused the increase in antibiotic resistance genes.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
No specific individuals named in the source article (study authors not named individually).
Sources: The Guardian
