Antimicrobial Resistance in a Changing Climatic Context: An Emerging Public Health Threat in Africa

Abstract

Although there are improvements in human survival as a result of the accessibility of powerful antibiotics, this gain is approaching its limit due to the changing climate and development of resistance to therapeutic agents for the treatment of microbial infections. The fact that a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) significantly decreases the ability to treat infections effectively, increasing complications, hospitalizations, and unnecessary costs to healthcare is even more obvious. African nations are the hardest affected, since they have less access to new antibiotics, are under more financial strain, and are unable to pay for second-line antibiotics. Additionally, the inadequate health systems in the majority of African nations raise the risk of an increase in AMR and its effects. Action is therefore needed at all levels to stem the flow of an oncoming climate catastrophe. Antimicrobial resistance has no negative effects on a microbial fitness, making it crucial to stop it from occurring as a result of climate change. This chapter sought to provide evidence base for our understanding of AMR and climate change by taking a public health-focused approach. Additionally, it shed light on the aspects of climate change on the spread and proliferation of antibiotic resistance in Africa.