World Antimicrobial Awareness week 2022

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign held between 18-24 November every year to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and encourage best practices among the general public.

AMR happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites (microbes) no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines such as antibiotics, and this in turn makes treating common infections more difficult and sometimes impossible.

Diseases caused by resistant germs can instead spread more easily through the body, potentially causing more severe illness and death. AMR is therefore a matter which should raise concern and be taken seriously.

Many factors have accelerated the threat of AMR worldwide, including overuse and misuse of anti-infection medicines in humans, livestock and agriculture, as well as poor access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

• In 2019, it is estimated that nearly 5 million human deaths globally were associated with bacterial AMR, and 1.3 million of these deaths were directly caused by AMR in bacteria.
• Sanitation (clean drinking water, and safe treatment and disposal of sewage) good hygiene measures (such as hand washing) and vaccination can reduce the need for antimicrobials and prevent drug-resistant infections developing, which saves lives and reduces healthcare costs.
• It can take 10-15 years and cost more than $1 billion USD to develop a new antibiotic safe to use in human beings. We need to be more responsible with how we use those we already have.
• Unused antibiotics which are disposed of down sinks or toilets, or discarded in bins or waste dumps, can lead to AMR developing in the soil, plants and animals.

The WAAW 2022 theme is 'Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance together'

• find out how to get involved with this year’s campaign on the World Health Organization website.

Resources

Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland: Antimicrobial resistance - One Health

• 15 November 2022: ARHAI Scotland published the Scottish One Health Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance in 2021 report which includes information from 2021 on antimicrobial use and resistance in humans, animals and the environment in Scotland. 

UK Health Security Agency: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) collection