Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global health threat that demands immediate action. AMR occurs when germs change over time and medicines designed to prevent or treat them no longer work. These medicines (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and parasiticides) are known as antimicrobials. AMR makes infections difficult to treat and increases the risk of diseases spreading and can cause severe illness and death. A recent modelling study estimated that more than 39 million people globally will die from AMR between 2025 and 2050 if action isn’t taken.
This week marks the start of World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW), a global campaign by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organization, and the World Organisation for Animal Health. WAAW aims to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and encourage global action against the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens. The theme for WAAW 2024 is 'Educate. Advocate. Act now.'
Tackling AMR requires partnerships across the human, animal and environmental health sectors as part of a ‘One Health’ approach. This recognises the connection between human, animal and environmental health, and that the health of one affects all. The Australian Government continues to promote One Health approaches and is actively involved in collaborating nationally as well as with global partners to address the risk of AMR.
In September, Australia joined other world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR. This event saw the adoption of a political declaration calling for a One Health approach to addressing AMR. Australia strongly advocated for the inclusion of the One Health approach within the political declaration. The declaration renews global commitment to scale up action to address AMR, and a goal of a 10% decrease in AMR-related human deaths globally by 2030.
In addition to supporting a global approach to tackling AMR, the Australian Government remains committed to reducing the risk of AMR within Australia. The Australian Government is guided by Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy &endash; 2020 and Beyond.
We can and must fight AMR together – all Australian governments, the private sector, industry, research community and the public.
Some things that you can do to help reduce the risks of AMR include:
- Following your health professional’s instructions when they prescribe you antimicrobial medication, such as
- If you have any unused medication (including ointments), don’t keep them for future use or throw them away in your household rubbish.
- You can safely dispose of leftover medicines for free. Return them to any community pharmacy that participates in the Return of Unwanted Medicines Project.
- Don’t use antimicrobials prescribed for other people – they may not work for you.
- Remember, antibiotics don’t work against viruses like the common cold or the flu.
- Antibiotics do not work on everything. They only treat certain bacteria under certain conditions. You should not take them ‘just in case’.
- Don’t pressure your doctor or veterinarian for antimicrobials if they say you or your animals don’t need them. Instead ask about other ways to manage the signs and symptoms.
- You can prevent spread of infections between people through good hand hygiene. This will reduce the need for antimicrobials. The less people use antimicrobials, the less antimicrobial resistance occurs.
- Improper dressing of wounds, cuts and grazes can lead to infection and the need for antimicrobials. To reduce this need, practice proper wound care or visit a health professional for support. For more information, see: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/wounds-cuts-and-grazes
- Vaccinate as appropriate. Vaccines can prevent both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant infections, reduce the use and overuse of antimicrobials, and slow the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens.
- Good farm biosecurity helps prevent the introduction of pests and diseases that might require treatment with antimicrobials. Applying best practice biosecurity and hygiene measures reduces the need for antimicrobials.
Please visit the below to find out more about:
- antimicrobial resistance
- how it affects you, our animals and our agriculture
- what is happening around the world:
- what you can do to help
Statement from:
- Professor Anthony Lawler, Australian Government Chief Medical Officer
- Dr Beth Cookson, Australian Chief Veterinary Officer
- Dr Bertie Hennecke, Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer