Antimicrobial Resistance: Now is the Time for Collective Action
November 18, 2022
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The Quadripartite organisations – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) are pleased to announce the theme of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2022: ‘Preventing antimicrobial resistance together’.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens humans, animals, plants and the environment. It affects us all. This is why this year’s theme calls for collaboration across sectors to preserve the efficacy of these critical medicines. Fighting AMR is a truly global endeavour and must be addressed through a One Health approach.
To curb it effectively, all sectors must join forces and encourage the prudent use of antimicrobials, as well as preventive measures. Strengthening infection prevention and control in health care facilities, farms and food industry premises, ensuring access to vaccines, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, implementing best practices in food and agriculture production, and guaranteeing the sound management of waste and wastewater from key sectors are critical to reducing the need for antimicrobials and minimizing the emergence and transmission of AMR.
The slogan of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week remains ‘Antimicrobials: Handle with Care‘. WAAW is celebrated from 18 to 24 November every year.
World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders. WAAW is celebrated every year from 18 to 24 November.
The theme of WAAW 2022 is “Preventing antimicrobial resistance together”.
Below you will find the campaign guide which has been designed to provide you with key information on how you can contribute to the events. We hope it will inspire you to develop your own local activities. Your support is crucial to the success of this campaign!
Click here for the complete guidePDF - 77.83KB
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Fight antimicrobial resistance: use antimicrobials responsibly
Antimicrobial medicines have transformed the practice of human and animal medicine. Infections that were once lethal are now treatable. The use of antimicrobial drugs has advanced global public health, animal health, and food safety and security. However, the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial products in humans, animals and plants have dramatically contributed to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, which pose an extraordinary threat to human and animal health, and to the world ecosystem.
Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance and the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials