Health · Public Health & Disease · 1 day ago
C. diff infections in England rose by nearly 52% in five years
C. diff infections in England rose from 12,500 in 2020/21 to 18,957 in 2024/25, an increase of nearly 52%.
The bacteria can live harmlessly in the bowel, but can cause serious illness if they multiply.
It spreads through tiny spores in faeces, which can contaminate surfaces or food and be swallowed.
Antibiotics can raise the risk by killing helpful gut bacteria, and people over 65 are among those at greatest risk.
The infection can cause severe diarrhoea and, in some cases, dangerous complications.
The North West had the highest regional rate in 2024/25, at 46.5 cases per 100,000 people; London had the lowest, at 18.8.
Cases increased in every NHS England region, but regional differences may reflect factors such as age, health and antibiotic use, rather than differences in infection prevention.
C. difficile infections in England rose by almost 52% over five years, from 12,500 in 2020/21 to 18,957 in 2024/25, according to figures examined by TrialMed.
The North West had the highest regional rate in 2024/25, at 46.5 cases per 100,000 residents, while London had the lowest, at 18.8.
C. diff spreads through spores found in faeces, which can be swallowed after contact with contaminated surfaces or food.
The infection can cause severe diarrhoea and, in roughly one in seven cases, dangerous complications such as peritonitis.
Experts say antibiotics can increase risk by killing beneficial gut bacteria, while regional differences may reflect several factors, including demographics and antibiotic prescribing.
- Who
- People in England; the analysis was conducted by TrialMed using UK Health Security Agency data.
- What
- A rise in Clostridioides difficile infections.
- When
- 2020/21 to 2024/25.
- Where
- England, across all NHS England regions.
- Why
- The reasons for the rise are not established; experts cite possible factors including demographics, antibiotic prescribing, population health and healthcare use.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cases are increasing across every NHS England region, which could be for a number of reasons,
Regional differences do not necessarily mean infection prevention is better or worse in one area compared to another.
The key to treating C. diff is getting a diagnosis with the right test,
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- England infections in 2024/25
- 18,957
- Change in total infections since 2020/21
- Almost 52%, from 12,500
- Highest regional rate in 2024/25
- North West: 46.5 cases per 100,000 residents
- Lowest regional rate in 2024/25
- London: 18.8 cases per 100,000 residents
- Risk of dangerous complications
- Roughly one in seven cases
Sources
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