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Kerala Sees Slight Dip in Antibiotic Resistance Rates in 2024
10 Nov
Summary
- Antibiotic resistance surveillance report for 2024 released
- 20-30% drop in over-the-counter antibiotic sales in past 2 years
- Increasing ESBL and Carbapenem resistance among key pathogens
On November 10, 2025, the Kerala government released its annual antibiotic resistance surveillance report for 2024. The data, collected from 47 labs across 13 districts, shows a slight decline in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates compared to previous years.
The report, part of the Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (KARS-NET), analyzed data from 55,640 patient isolates. It reveals that over the past two years, the state has successfully reduced over-the-counter antibiotic sales by 20-30% through stricter enforcement of regulations. However, this dip was not driven by increased public awareness on the dangers of AMR.
Despite the overall improvement, the report highlights concerning trends. Rates of ESBL-producing bacteria and Carbapenem resistance have been increasing among priority pathogens like E. coli and Klebsiella species. Additionally, slight increases in MRSA were observed, though Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) showed a decreasing trend.
To address these challenges, the state is working to improve antibiotic literacy among the public. "Our attempt is to make people understand the risks of misusing antibiotics and voluntarily desist from improper use," says R. Aravind, the convener of the Kerala Antimicrobial Resistance Strategic Action Plan.
Effective AMR surveillance and data analysis are crucial for guiding clinical decisions and designing targeted interventions. KARS-NET, the largest state-level AMR network in India, monitors nine priority pathogens responsible for high antibiotic resistance rates.
