Armed conflicts, such as the war in Gaza, are not only destroying lives and infrastructure but also creating a new, potentially deadly crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is the development of bacteria that adapt to resist drugs designed to kill them, thus giving rise to “superbugs” that make infections, once treatable, difficult, if not impossible, to cure. In such war-torn areas, the disruption of healthcare systems, widespread injuries, and collapse of sanitation have created a perfect breeding ground for these drug-resistant bacteria.
What Are Superbugs?
‘Superbugs’ are microbes, usually bacteria, that have developed resistance to several antibiotics. This resistance makes infections caused by these bacteria much harder to treat. War zones destroy hospitals, render diagnostic tools scarce, and deteriorate sanitation, all of which contribute to the rise of these dangerous pathogens.
The breakdown of healthcare infrastructure is exacerbating the AMR crisis in areas such as Gaza. In many cases, hospitals are damaged, healthcare workers are displaced or killed, and medical supplies are in short supply. As a result, infections are often left untreated or are improperly treated with the wrong antibiotics, creating a fertile environment for antimicrobial resistance to develop and spread.
Misuse of Antibiotics in Conflict Zones
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics are among the main reasons for the development of AMR in conflict zones. In resource-poor settings, broad-spectrum antibiotics, which are drugs that target a wide range of bacterial infections, are often used without proper diagnostic tools. This not only promotes resistance but also allows resistant microbes to multiply and spread more easily.
There is also the breakdown in vaccination programs that accompanies wars. The fewer vaccinations for bacterial and viral infections, the more likely the individuals are to get infected. The more people fall ill, the more the use of antibiotics escalates, creating a vicious cycle where the risk of developing resistant infections increases.
Poor Conditions in Refugee Camps and Shelters
Refugee camps and shelters exacerbate the spread of superbugs because of the congestion and poor hygienic conditions they are characterized with, along with a lack of clean water, proper sanitation, and inadequate hygiene. Since these camps end up becoming places where drug-resistant bacteria thrive and multiply, malnutrition combined with stress lowers the immune defenses of people, therefore, they have a higher propensity to fall victim to infections in such places.
The Global AMR Threat
The most frightening aspect of AMR in conflict zones is the potential spread across borders. The movement of refugees and displaced people carries resistant microbes into regions that may have had limited prior exposure to such bacteria. It not only poses a threat to the health of the local population but also spreads antimicrobial resistance globally.
For instance, Acinetobacter baumannii is an antibiotic-resistant bacterium that has caused serious infections in U.S. military personnel coming back from the combat zones in Afghanistan and Iraq. The same strain has also been found in hospitals in the United Kingdom, threatening the health of patients.
Regions such as Afghanistan, Gaza, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen have witnessed the appearance of multi-antibiotic-resistant bacteria thriving in conflict areas. As the superbugs continue to spread across the world, they continue to be an increasing threat to public health across the globe.
An unfolding crisis is developing in conflict regions: antimicrobial resistance. The relentless destruction of Gazan land fuels the world’s increasingly worrisome growth of superbugs—microbes resistant to classic antibiotics—amid the devastating toll of war that continues to threaten regions. Authorities must rebuild health facilities immediately to ensure the proper use of antibiotics, alongside improving sanitation.