Climate Change Increases Salmonella Antibiotic Resistance

New research published in The Lancet_Planetary_Health, conducted by institutes including the China — Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Cambridge, links climate change to a 10% global increase in antibiotic-resistance genes in Salmonella. The study, which analyzed over 480,000 Salmonella genomes from 139 countries between 1940 and 2023, found that rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns accelerate the spread of hard-to-treat infections. Globally, the abundance of antimicrobial-resistance genes (ARGs) in Salmonella has increased by 38% over the study period, with climate change accounting for 10% of this rise. Regions like the Middle East, South Africa, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa showed the strongest climate-linked surges. Projections indicate continued increases in ARGs by 2100, though meeting low-emission climate targets and strengthening responsible antibiotic use could reduce levels by 24% compared to high-emission scenarios. The study emphasizes the importance of mitigating climate change and robust antimicrobial stewardship to safeguard public health.