A recent study published in the The Lancet found that global deaths due to infections that are resistant to the medications intended to treat them could increase nearly 70% by 2050. Bacterial illnesses that are resistant to available antibiotic medicines will cause more than 39 million deaths worldwide during the next 25 years and indirectly contribute to an additional 169 million deaths, the study found.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines, making people sicker and increasing the spread of infections that are difficult to treat, leading to illness and deaths.

The study estimated that 4.71 million deaths already were associated with bacterial AMR as of 2021. From 1990 to 2021, deaths from AMR decreased by more than 50% among children younger than 5 years yet increased by over 80% for adults 70 years and older. 

Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it will draw attention to the global AMR crisis among other health challenges at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), held in New York City Sept. 20-30.  

Specifically, the second High-Level Meeting on AMR will be held on Sept. 26. Without decisive action, such as that outlined in the final text of the political declaration draft for the meeting, AMR will cause even more global suffering, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the WHO said. The first UN High-level Meeting on AMR took place in 2016. 

“Antimicrobial resistance threatens a century of medical progress and could return us to the pre-antibiotic era, where infections that are treatable today could become a death sentence,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, who will address the high-level meeting on AMR. “This is a threat for all countries at all income levels, which is why a strong, accelerated and well-coordinated global response is needed urgently.” 

During September, California has experienced three significant wildfires, endangering tens of thousands of homes and other structures. So far this year, 6,269 wildfires have burned nearly 1 million acres and damaged or destroyed 1,680 structures, according to Cal Fire.

While weather conditions continue to aid firefighters, the blazes remain destructive and have injured firefighters and residents.

The Bridge Fire, California’s largest actively burning fire, has burned 54,795 acres since it started Sept. 8 and is currently the third largest fire of the year, Cal Fire reported. While the fire is 59% contained as of Sept. 20, evacuation orders for areas in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties remain. The Bridge Fire has damaged 19 structures and destroyed 81 buildings. Cal Fire has confirmed four fire personnel and civilian injuries from this fire.

Cal Fire reported that the Line Fire, the state’s second-largest actively burning fire this year, has destroyed 39,232 acres since it ignited on Sept. 5. The fire is over half contained (51%). Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow. California has assigned the largest number of resources to this fire, including nearly 3,400 personnel, 15 helicopters, 272 engines, and 38 water tenders. The Line Fire has damaged four structures and destroyed one. Cal Fire has also confirmed four fire personnel and civilian injuries from this fire.

The Airport Fire began on Sept. 9 and has been the most destructive to structures and dangerous to humans of the fires actively burning. Burning in Orange and Riverside Counties, the fire has damaged 34 structures, destroyed 160 structures, and injured 15 fire personnel and civilians.  As of Sept. 19, it had burned 23,519 acres and was 41% contained.

On the East Coast, starting on Sept. 15, a tropical rainstorm brought more than 20 inches of rain to North Carolina’s southeast coastline. The rain overwhelmed drainage systems in Brunswick and New Hanover counties, resulting in widespread flooding. In some areas, this was a “1,000-year rain event,”  the National Weather Service reported.

AccuWeather’s preliminary estimate of the total damage and economic loss from this unnamed storm with tropical storm impacts in the United States is US$7 billion.

The flooding caused one casualty when an 80-year-old man died driving through a flooded road. As of Sept. 18, more than 60 roads across 12 counties remain closed, ABC News reported. A state of emergency remains in place for Brunswick, New Hanover, and Columbus counties. Damage assessments from state officials are scheduled to begin soon, but North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said officials are still waiting for flooded and damaged areas to dry out.