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World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020

06 November 2020

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is between 18th-24th November 2020.

Every year, WAAW aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices and stop the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

  • The theme for WAAW 2020 for the human health sector is “United to preserve antimicrobials.”

In previous years, the term ‘Antibiotic' Awareness was used. This year, 'Antimicrobial' Awareness has been adopted to reflect the growing problem of resistance not only to antibiotics but also to other antimicrobial medications such as antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics.

What is antimicrobial resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that AMR is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity.
  • AMR causes around 700,000 deaths each year globally
  • This figure is predicted to rise to 10 million by 2050 if no action is taken

Impact of AMR on International Travel

Examples of AMR that have an impact on the health of travellers include:

  • mefloquine resistance to malaria parasites in South East Asia
  • widespread bacterial resistance to ciprofloxacin, which has historically been used for the treatment of travellers' diarrhoea.

How can we help to prevent AMR?

  • Avoid the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials
  • Remind travellers to only take antimicrobials as prescribed and to always complete the full course
  • Educate travellers on the importance of safe food and water precautions, respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene measures to minimise the spread of pathogens

Please see the following links for more information on AMR and campaign materials to support WAAW: