A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a concerning surge in antimicrobial-resistant infections in Ukrainian hospitals, describing it as an “urgent crisis” exacerbated by the ongoing conflict with Russia. Published on December 8, the report emphasizes the immediate need for action to address the spread of drug-resistant pathogens in the country.
The CDC report underscores the global severity of antimicrobial resistance, responsible for more deaths than HIV or malaria. Researchers from the CDC, the Center for Public Health of Ukraine, the World Health Organization, and other institutions stress the critical nature of the situation in Ukraine, given the high prewar rates of antimicrobial resistance, increased traumatic wounds, and the strain on healthcare facilities due to the conflict.
Surveys conducted in November and December 2022 at three regional hospitals revealed high rates of antimicrobial resistance among patients. Out of 353 surveyed patients, 14% had healthcare-associated infections, with 60% of those infections resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotic carbapenem. This rate was significantly higher than previous European Union surveys, indicating a worrisome escalation.
The CDC report also references a separate study in August, which identified six drug-resistant bacteria in an injured soldier in Ukraine. The soldier, treated in various medical facilities, exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics.
The assessments conducted in August 2022 highlighted inadequacies in infection surveillance, prevention measures, and laboratory capacities in Ukrainian health facilities. The report calls for urgent capacity building to detect, prevent, and respond to antimicrobial resistance, emphasizing the need for international collaboration and support.
To address the alarming increase, the report suggests locally led measures, ongoing support, and the development of national action plans and policies to enhance infection prevention, control, and monitoring of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in Ukraine. The World Health Organization has already contributed by donating surveillance equipment and consumables to laboratories across the country. The situation underscores the critical importance of addressing antimicrobial resistance to save lives within Ukraine and prevent the international spread of drug-resistant infections.
Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)