World AMR Awareness Week 2024

November 18th to 24th is World AMR Awareness Week 2024.

The World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and encourage global action among healthcare workers, environmentalists, animal health professionals, agriculturists, farmers, policymakers, young people, civil society, media and the public to tackle the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens.

Key Facts

• Antimicrobials are agents used to prevent, control and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals and plants. They include antibiotics, fungicides, antiviral agents and parasiticides. Disinfectants, antiseptics, other pharmaceuticals and natural products may also have antimicrobial properties. 
• AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. 
• AMR is happening here and now. It is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, environment and sustainable development today. 
• Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, plants and environment are accelerating the development and spread of AMR worldwide. 
• The challenges of AMR are complex and multifaceted, but they are not insurmountable. A One Health response to AMR will help save millions of lives, preserve antimicrobials for generations and secure the future from drug-resistant pathogens.