Nigeria is experiencing a worrying increase in resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, a critical antibiotics reserved for treating severe infections.
A senior researcher at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Emelda Chukwu, raised the concern during a media briefing in Lagos highlighting ongoing efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
She explained that third-generation cephalosporins are broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics typically used when infections fail to respond to earlier treatment options.
However, recent findings show these vital medicines are rapidly losing effectiveness.
According to her, AMR remains one of the most serious global health threats, capable of reversing decades of progress in treating infectious diseases.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms mutate in ways that make drugs designed to eliminate them ineffective.
Chukwu noted that pathogens are now demonstrating resistance even to medications once considered dependable last-line therapies.
A survey conducted across four sentinel healthcare facilities assessed AMR patterns among hospitalised patients with various infections.
The results showed high resistance levels to third-generation cephalosporins.
She attributed the growing problem largely to human behaviour, particularly misuse and overuse of antibiotics.
Beyond clinical monitoring, the researcher stressed the need for a One Health approach, recognising the link between human, animal and environmental health to address the threat effectively.
As part of this strategy, researchers have developed a structured wastewater surveillance system designed to serve as an early warning mechanism by detecting pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential before outbreaks escalate.
Environmental surveillance, she added, will significantly strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and response to emerging public health threats.