Hundreds of cases of drug-resistant disease recorded last year in Derby and Derbyshire

Klebsiella pneumoniae can cause infections in the lungs, blood and wounds of those already injured, and can prove especially dangerous to patients with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable.

It comes as the number of cases of Klebsiella in Derby and Derbyshire has risen over the last six years, new figures show.

UK Health Security Agency figures show 249 cases were recorded in the former NHS Derby and Derbyshire CCG area in the year to March – up from 225 in 2017-18. It represents a rise of 11% over the last six years.

Meanwhile, the rate of cases has risen steadily across England, from 17.6 cases per 100,000 people in 2017-18 to 20.9 in 2022-23. In Derby and Derbyshire, the rate has fallen from 21.4 to 18.4. Rates are only available until 2022-23.

Scientists say Klebsiella is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, and it is part of a group of diseases which possess antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has described them as an "invisible threat" which must be tackled to "protect the welfare of our society and safeguard the NHS".

The UKHSA said it is investigating why Klebsiella rates have risen, but suggested an ageing population, improved surveillance, and increases in respiratory infections which can lead to bacterial infections are likely factors.

The Government's five-year plan to combat AMR will see the UK reduce its use of antimicrobials – such as antibiotics, antifungals and antivirals, strengthen the surveillance of drug-resistant infections before they emerge, and incentivise the development of new treatments. The Government said it aims to contain and control AMR by 2040.

The World Health Organisation has described AMR as "one of the top global public health and development threats", saying bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.3 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to almost 5 million deaths.

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said: "Antibiotics are one of the most powerful tools we have against infection. Resistance to these drugs therefore poses a significant threat to the lives of many people in the UK and around the world."