Antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial medicine to which it was previously sensitive. It develops when a microorganism mutates or acquires a resistance gene. Resistant organisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and helminths) are able to withstand attack by antimicrobial medicines such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials, so that standard treatments become ineffective and infections persist and may spread to other people.
About AMRTop story
WHO/Europe launches online course for clinicians on prescribing and using antibiotics wisely
WHO/Europe has launched a newly developed online course that aims to equip clinicians with the information they need to prescribe antibiotics appropriately and wisely. This free course, titled “Antimicrobial stewardship: A competency-based approach”, is available via the OpenWHO platform.
News
- Second EVIPNet Europe cohort of countries to develop evidence-informed policy on AMR
- Hungary equipped to tackle antimicrobial resistance by using the best available evidence
- Commemorating the impact of Semmelweis’ work on global health
Key resource
Central Asian and Eastern European Surveillance on Antimicrobial Resistance (CAESAR)A joint initiative to survey, contain and prevent the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance in the European Region.
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Publications
Central Asian and Eastern European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance. Annual report 2017
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Data and statistics
25 000
The number of people out of 400 000 who die every year in the European Region due to an infection with a resistant bacterial strain.
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