Public understanding of antibiotics is insufficient, global study finds

News brief
Topics
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Blister packs of pills
Fahroni / iStock

Despite the global expansion of antibiotic awareness campaigns over the past decade, the public's understanding of antibiotics remains insufficient, researchers reported last week in Clinical Microbiology and Infection.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers from Australia, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom identified 227 studies from 98 countries that reported the knowledge of antibiotic use and resistance among the public. They found that 73.2% of the 322,492 participants correctly recognized that antibiotics are effective in treating bacterial infections and 72.5% knew that excessive antibiotic use reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics.

But only 42.1% knew that antibiotics were not effective against viruses, and that number was significantly lower in countries such as Laos (7.2%), Myanmar (11.7%), and Bangladesh (12.5%). Similarly, only 35.1% of respondents knew that antibiotics don't speed up recovery from cold and flu. 

The study authors note that a systematic review conducted in 2015—the year the World Health Organization declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) a top 10 global health threat—reported that 46.1% of the public was aware that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, which suggests a decade of public awareness campaigns has had little impact.

"This persistent misconception will continue to drive the misuse of antibiotics for viral infections, a widespread issue in many regions globally, thereby contributing to the broader challenge of AMR," they wrote. "The low levels of public knowledge regarding the ineffectiveness of antibiotics against viral infections suggest that current efforts and campaigns aimed at addressing antibiotic resistance remain insufficient."

Multifaceted strategies are needed

In addition, while 58.4% of respondents acknowledged antibiotic resistance as a global health threat, only 39.1% understood that antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be transmitted between individuals.

"Understanding that resistant bacteria can be transmitted from person to person is crucial, as interpersonal spread represents a key mechanism by which antimicrobial resistance propagates within communities," the authors wrote.

The authors conclude that multifaceted strategies are needed to enhance public knowledge of antibiotics.

"These strategies should include patient education by healthcare professionals, targeted outreach, mass media and digital campaigns, formal education, community-based interventions, robust policy and regulatory measures, and international collaboration," they wrote.

California identifies infant botulism cases tied to powdered formula from months before current outbreak

News brief
Topics
Botulism
Foodborne Disease
ByHeart infant formula can
Image courtesy of FDA

California health officials say they have identified cases of infant botulism with exposure to powdered infant formula that occurred prior to the current multistate outbreak.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said the state has identified at least six cases of infant botulism with exposure to ByHeart powdered infant formula that occurred from November 2024 to June 2025. The 15-state outbreak currently being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which includes four sickened infants in California and 31 nationwide, began on August 1, 2015.

"CDPH is continuing investigate, but at this time we cannot connect any pre-August 1 cases to the current outbreak," the CDPH spokesperson said.

The statement explained that in early 2025 there was not enough evidence to immediately suspect a common source among the six suspected cases, and that the number of cases were within expected case numbers based on previous years' trends.

CPDH has played a critical role in investigation

Infant botulism occurs when a baby swallows Clostridium botulinum spores, which can grow in the intestine and produce toxins that cause constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing. 

CDPH's detection of C botulinum in an opened can of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula on November 8 led the FDA to recommend a recall of the product. Prior to the outbreak investigation, no powdered infant formula had tested positive for C botulinim in the United States.

CDPH said that, from August 1 through November 19, 107 infants nationwide have received treatment with BabyBIG, a human plasma-derived treatment for infants with botulism. That includes confirmed cases and infants who were being treated while awaiting test results. 

CPDH developed and is the only source of BabyBIG. The CDC and FDA began their investigation into the outbreak after officials with CPDH's Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program alerted them to an increase in requests for the treatment.

This week's top reads

  1. First ever human case of H5N5 avian flu confirmed in Washington state

    Previous human detections in the US have involved the H5N1 strain.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  2. After unprecedented autism-vaccine messaging change, scientists, advocates say CDC no longer trustworthy

    Doctors, public health advocates, and the autism community expressed anger and sorrow over the CDC's reversal of its messaging on vaccines and autism.

    Liz Szabo
    Laine Bergeson
    CDC headquarters sign

  3. Ethiopia faces its first Marburg outbreak, which has proved deadly

    Nine cases have been confirmed and 17 are suspected.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    marburg virus

  4. CDC: 31 infants now sickened with botulism in formula-related outbreak

    All 31 patients have required hospitalization.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  5. Experimental mRNA flu vaccine is more effective than conventional flu shot, but causes more side effects

    In a phase 3 trial, participants who received the shot were 29% less likely to be diagnosed with flu than those who received a conventional flu shot.

    Liz Szabo
    Young woman receiving a flu shot from female doctor

  6. While no one was watching: Tenuous status of CDC prion unit, risk of CWD to people worry scientists

    If the Prion and Public Health Office is shuttered, human CWD cases could go unnoticed, and it will be too late to mitigate the consequences, experts say.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    CWD zone deer disposal site

  7. New test promises faster, more accurate Lyme disease diagnosis, researchers say

    The test had 91% sensitivity in detecting Borrelia burgdorferi.

    Laine Bergeson
    Tick

  8. Utah, South Carolina confirm more measles as CDC call suggests US elimination status in jeopardy

    Today the South Carolina Department of Health reported 5 new cases in Spartanburg County.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    measles boy

  9. Avian flu has decimated world's largest breeding colony of southern elephant seals

    The loss may threaten the population's future by reducing the number of surviving pups and highlights the need for continued, intensive monitoring. 

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Southern elephant seals

  10. Texas measles outbreak may have spurred parents to vaccinate infants before CDC responded

    Increased early vaccination began in February, perhaps due to clinician and/or parental concern, the authors say.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Baby girl being immunize

Our underwriters

Grant support for ASP provided by

Unrestricted financial support provided by

Become an Underwriter