Shock as sepsis deaths double in two decades

THE number of people dying from sepsis has soared in the last 20 years, independent figures show.

- By Tony Whitfield

Some 4,372 children and adults died from the infection in England and Wales last year - nearly twice the 2,208 who succumbed in 2004.

Last year's victims included nine babies, seven infants aged one to four and nine children between five and 14. Many more were older, including 167 aged 65-69, 600 between 75-79 and 1,071 from 85 to 89.

The data collected by the Office for National Statistics also shows that sepsis was mentioned on 26,203 death certificates in 2023, up from 22,935 in 2004.