World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020! United to preserve antimicrobials

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is celebrated annually from 18 to 24 November. WAAW aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites resist the effects of medications, making common infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. 

Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance

Slogan

The slogan for 2020 will be “Antimicrobials: handle with care” applicable to all sectors.

Theme 2020

The theme for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020 for the human health sector is “United to preserve antimicrobials.”

Antimicrobial resistance

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making common infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. Many factors have accelerated the threat of AMR worldwide—including overuse and misuse of medicines in humans, livestock and agriculture, as well as poor access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.

Why is AMR increasing?

• Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals and plants
• Lack of access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for both humans and animals 
• COVID-19

SOURCE OF INFO: WHO

Recommended readings

• Lack of new antibiotics threatens global efforts to contain drug-resistant infections
• World Antibiotic Awareness Week: Prescription for action from WHO
• Adopt and implement high-impact interventions to secure the future of antibiotics and rollback the global AMR crisis
• Change Can’t Wait. Our Time with Antibiotics is Running Out! 
• Think Twice. Seek Advice: World Antibiotic Awareness Week, 13-19 November 2017
• National Antibiotic Treatment Guideline-2014
• WHO priority pathogens list for research and development (R&D) of new antibiotics
• WHO’s list of urgent global health challenges for the new decade
• World Antibiotic Awareness Week: Prescription for action from WHO
• Think Twice. Seek Advice: World Antibiotic Awareness Week, 13-19 November 2017

More info: WHO

Public Health Important Day