Improvements in water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and wastewater management in all sectors are critical elements of preventing infections and reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as identified in the Global Action Plan to combat AMR. Antimicrobial resistant organisms and their genes as well and antimicrobial compounds and their metabolites are common and widespread contaminants of wastewater and sludge from humans, animal and plant production and antimicrobial manufacturing.  Ensuring universal access to sanitation, hygiene and safe water in households, health facilities and schools is also a priority measure to prevent many infections that would otherwise be treated with antimicrobials.  WHO works on strengthening WASH and wastewater actions within wider efforts to combat AMR and works with the WASH sector to strengthening AMR sensitive programming toward universal WASH in households, health care facilities and schools. 

The WHO/FAO/OIE technical brief summarizes evidence and rationale for WASH and wastewater actions within AMR national action plans and sector specific policy to combat AMR.

Download the Technical brief (available in English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish).