C. diff infections surge by 50% in five years as North West leads the way with nearly double the case rate of London

Cases of the potentially fatal stomach bug Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) have increased by more than 50 per cent across England since 2020, rising from 12,500 to nearly 19,000 annually. The North West region exhibits the highest infection rate at 46.5 per 100,000 people, approximately 2.5 times that of London. The spread of this highly infectious bacterium, often exacerbated by antibiotic use, underscores the need for improved hygiene protocols and early diagnosis in healthcare settings.