The world has been warned about the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance and in a report released by the Royal Society Te Aparangi today, says New Zealand is no exception.
It's the body's resistance to antibiotics - the same antibiotics we use to treat diseases.
Now experts are predicting it could kill 10 million people worldwide by 2050, that's more than the number that currently die from cancer.
Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles spoke to Duncan Garner.
Watch the video for the full interview.
