Warning superbugs could kill 80,000 people

Up to 80,000 people could die in an outbreak of a drug-resistant infection because of new superbugs, a British government forecast has warned.

The report estimates that a total of 200,000 people would be expected to be infected by a widespread bacterial blood infection that could not be treated effectively with existing drugs.

Over the next two decades, the number of infections complicated by superbugs are expected to rise significantly, according to a Cabinet Office document.