Climate change fuelling growth of antibiotic-resistant salmonella
A recent study links climate change to a rise in antibiotic-resistant salmonella, with a 10 percent increase in resistance genes attributed to changing environmental conditions. The research analyzed over 480,000 salmonella genomes from 139 countries and found significant associations between climate factors and antimicrobial resistance. The findings emphasize the need for climate action and responsible antibiotic use to combat this growing public health threat.
- ▪The abundance of antimicrobial-resistance genes in salmonella has increased by 38 percent globally since 1940.
- ▪Climate change is responsible for 10 percent of this rise, with higher temperatures and extreme weather events accelerating the spread of resistance.
- ▪The study indicates that if low-emission climate targets are met, levels of resistance genes could be reduced by 24 percent compared to high-emission scenarios.
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Climate change fuelling growth of antibiotic-resistant salmonellaSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxGlobally, the abundance of antimicrobial-resistance genes in salmonella has increased by 38 per cent over the study period, with climate change accounting for 10 per cent of the rise.PHOTO: PIXABAYPublished May 27, 2026, 09:33 AMUpdated May 27, 2026, 09:33 AMLONDON – Climate change is linked to a 10 per cent global increase in antibiotic-resistance genes in salmonella, according to new research that suggests warming temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns could accelerate the spread of hard-to-treat infections.The study – conducted by researchers from multiple institutes including the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Cambridge – analysed more than…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.