World AMR Awareness Week 2023

World AMR Awareness Week 2023

18 - 24 November 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), also known as drug resistance – occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective. When the microorganisms become resistant to most antimicrobials they are often referred to as “superbugs”.

This is a major concern because a resistant infection may kill, can spread to others, and imposes huge costs to individuals and society.

The World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. The theme for WAAW 2023 is "Preventing antimicrobial resistance together". AMR is a threat to humans, animals, plants and the environment. It affects us all.

Message from WHO Representative to India

Multimedia

Go Blue for AMR

Understanding AMR

What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?

  • AMR occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, adapt to medications, making them less effective or completely ineffective.
  • This global health challenge threatens our ability to treat infections and diseases, endangering lives and healthcare systems.
  • It’s important to understand that microbes causing the infection develop resistance – not our body.

How serious is AMR?

  • WHO declared AMR to be one of the top 10 global public health threats in 2019 and an urgent health challenge for the decade in 2020.
  • AMR infections directly caused 1.95 million deaths in 2019 and is estimated to force ~24 million people into extreme poverty by 2050.
  • AMR infections take longer to treat, lead to longer hospital stays, have higher medical costs and higher risk of complications and even death.

How does AMR spread?

  • AMR develops slowly through natural evolution over time, usually due to genetic changes.
  • AMR organisms are normally found in people, animals and can cause infections in them, and can contaminate food, plants and the environment (especially water and soil).
  • They can spread from person to person, between people and animals, or through contaminated food and water.
  • Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials hastens the development of AMR.

How can AMR be prevented?

  • Use antimicrobials responsibly – always take antimicrobials as per doctor’s advice/prescription, never share antimicrobials and prescriptions with others, never use or share left over antimicrobials.
  • Prevent infection by keeping your hands clean.
  • Prevent spread of harmful bugs/infection by adhering to coughing/sneezing etiquette.
  • Become aware about AMR and spread the word by observing World AMR Awareness Week (18-24 November) and Go Blue day on 24 November – dress in blue and post pictures on social media with the hashtag #WAAW and #AMR.

 

Let's spread the word – and “go blue” to prevent AMR!