Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics are increasing markedly in Norway

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s chief physician does not like what she sees. The rise of a rather unknown bacteria worries her in particular.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are “immune” to antibiotics. This is perhaps the most common medicine to use against bacterial infections. If you become infected, in the worst case, it may be impossible to treat the disease. The course of the disease can be prolonged. And the risk of death increases.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) calls it antimicrobial resistance. It is a global health threat, they write in their annual report on antibiotic resistance. In many places in the world, this threat is now increasing. In Europe, 35,000 people die because of this every year.

It can also have serious consequences for Norwegians’ health. FHI has monitored the incidence in Norway.

The figures show that more people in Norway are and are being infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria than before.

And the increase in one type of bacteria is particularly worrying.

FHI is concerned about this bacteria

The infection of so-called carbapenemase-producing bacteria (abbreviated as CPO) has increased significantly.

From 2022 to 2023, there were 39 per cent more people who were infected with such bacteria.

– The increase is very worrying because the bacteria can cause serious infections. And we have very limited, and sometimes no, effective antibiotics that work, says Miriam Sare.

She is a senior physician at the department for infection prevention and preparedness at FHI and one of the authors behind the recent annual report.

There was also an increase in infection by other antibiotic-resistant bacteria last year.

The figures are compared with the year 2022:

• MRSA: 2545 people. An increase of 25 per cent from 2022.
• Resistant enterococci: 151 people. An increase of 41 percent.
• The yeast Candida auris: 6 people. In 2022, 3 people were infected.
• Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI): 3099 people. In contrast to the others, the number of infected people has remained stable over the past three years.

Pandemic and war in Europe are among the reasons for the bacterial boom, according to Sare.

Migration and foreign travel are behind it

After the pandemic, more people went on trips abroad. At the same time, migration to Norway from countries with a high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria increased.

– Medical evacuation of patients from Ukraine to Norwegian hospitals has also contributed, says Sare.

The superintendent says that there is significantly more antibiotic resistance in the south and east of Europe compared to Norway. There, resistance has developed rapidly.

– Although we have a number of measures against antibiotic resistance in Norway, there is no reason to believe that in the long term we will not see increased antibiotic resistance as elsewhere in Europe, she says.

Antibiotic resistance is developing faster than we are able to develop new antibiotic medicines.

So what does it take to get up to speed?

Sare asks for this:

• More funding for research.
• Continue with good antibiotic management.
• Good infection control at hospitals and other health institutions.

And what can each do?

• Take antibiotics as prescribed. Do not borrow from others or buy over-the-counter abroad.
• Take recommended vaccines to reduce the number of infections. Everyone over 65 should get the flu vaccine.
• Do not have health treatment carried out outside Norway if you can get it at home. This also applies to dental treatment.