News

Minister of Health of Montenegro visits WHO/Europe 08-06-2017
Dr Kenan Hrapović, Minister of Health of Montenegro, visited WHO/Europe on 6 June 2017 to discuss health priorities and collaboration with the Regional Office. In discussions with Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, the Minister outlined developments in the country, including the establishment of a national influenza centre and an accredited laboratory for measles and rubella surveillance; plans to extend the work of the pulmonary hospital to include diagnostic services for tuberculosis and cancer; and plans to set up a national reference library on antimicrobial resistance.
World Health Assembly Day 3: WHO priorities aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 26-05-2017
Delegates at the World Health Assembly approved the Organization’s proposed programme budget of US$4421.5 million for the biennium 2018-2019. This proposed budget sets out the Organization’s priorities in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. It includes increased investments in the new WHO Health Emergencies Programme and combatting antimicrobial resistance.
World Health Assembly Day 1: outgoing Director-General Chan says “reducing inequalities” should guide future health work 23-05-2017
Some 3500 delegates from WHO’s 194 Member States – including a large proportion of the world’s health ministers – are attending the Seventieth World Health Assembly, which ends on 31 May. They are debating ways to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on building better systems for health.
Hand hygiene a key defence in Europe’s fight against antibiotic resistance 04-05-2017
This year’s SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign on 5 May uses the slogan “Fight antibiotic resistance – it's in your hands” to highlight the fact that health-care workers and the public have a responsibility to prevent and control AMR and HAI, in turn helping to prevent related complications and deaths.
How to improve antibiotic use in my hospital: a practical course to antibiotic stewardship in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 02-02-2017
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to global health today. It is rising to dangerously high levels in all parts of the world, compromising the ability to treat infectious diseases and undermining many advances in health and medicine. It can affect anyone, of any age, in any country.
Global Health Case Challenge: fighting antibiotic resistance 19-01-2017
WHO/Europe provided the case for this year’s Global Health Case Challenge, an annual event hosted by the University of Copenhagen’s School of Global Health, EIT Health and SUND Innovation Hub. The case asked students to consider the following question: How can availability, uptake and usage of rapid diagnostic tools such as point-of-care tests be improved to facilitate responsible use of antibiotics in primary care?
World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2016 in Poland 05-01-2017
For the second time Poland has actively marked World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW), held this year on 14–20 November 2016. WAAW is a WHO initiative, adopted at the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in 2015. Its main aim is to emphasize the seriousness of the threat to public health posed by antibiotic resistance.
WHO trains national AMR surveillance teams to promote routine laboratory diagnostics and antibiotic stewardship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan 22-12-2016
WHO provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan in the development of a routine antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance system through implementation of the WHO proof of principle (PoP) protocol. This aims to stimulate routine collection and analysis of blood samples to support treatment decisions by determining cause and antibiotic susceptibility, as well as collecting data centrally for surveillance purposes.
World Antibiotic Awareness Week in Albania 17-12-2016
Albania observed World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) on 14–20 November 2016 with a range of activities involving citizens, civil society organizations, health care professionals, academia and government institutions. This included the presentation of findings from an important survey on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Albanian population regarding the control and prevention of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), conducted in October and November 2016.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and WHO Regional Director for Europe encourage Moldovan parents to continue vaccinating their children 07-12-2016
Immunization saves lives. Every child has the right to be immunized." This was the message of Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Denmark during her visit to the Republic of Moldova on 23–25 November 2016. Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, accompanied the Crown Princess on her visit.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia marks European Antibiotic Awareness Day and World Antibiotic Awareness Week 01-12-2016
With a series of events and activities, this year the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia marked European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November and World Antibiotic Awareness Week on 14–20 November.
eLearning helps Irish pharmacists take on antibiotic stewardship 18-11-2016
Pharmacists are key members of the primary care workforce and find themselves increasingly on the frontline of the struggle against antibiotic resistance. This field is increasing in importance and changing rapidly, yet the pressure of every day life in a busy community pharmacy can make it difficult to keep up to speed on the latest developments.
Resistant bacteria spreading in hospitals across the European Region, according to a new WHO report 18-11-2016
Antibiotic resistance is widespread in the European Region. In particular, resistant bacteria are spreading in hospitals and health care settings, putting patients at risk of contracting incurable diseases. This is the concerning picture painted by the second Central Asian and Eastern European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (CAESAR) report, published by WHO today to coincide with World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2016.
The Crown Princess of Denmark will visit the Republic of Moldova to highlight regional progress in immunization, maternal and child health, and in tackling antimicrobial resistance 17-11-2016
As patron of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Denmark will visit the Republic of Moldova with Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, on 23–25 November 2016. The visit will focus on the importance of women’s and children’s health, maintaining momentum on immunization and addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). They will see first-hand how health reforms in the Republic of Moldova have improved the health of women and children, and will review the remaining challenges to be addressed.
Nursing students in Glasgow tackle antimicrobial resistance 17-11-2016
Valerie Ness is a PhD student of nursing and has worked as a nurse for the past 21 years. She was aware of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) when she first began her career, but it was not common practice to screen for it.
World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2016: Encouraging health care workers and the public to become “Antibiotic Guardians” 14-11-2016
Antibiotic resistance presents one of the biggest threats to global health and development today – and the threat is growing. This year, the world will mark the second annual World Antibiotic Awareness Week from 14 to 20 November, with a particular focus on health care workers and the vital role they play in defending the power of antibiotics.
WHO experts in Ashgabat on combating the development of antimicrobial resistance 20-10-2016
On 19-23 September 2016 a team of WHO experts met in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
World Statistics Day 2016 – be a data explorer 20-10-2016
Good data and statistics are indispensable for informed decision-making by people and policy-makers. On World Statistics Day 2016, WHO/Europe experts share statistics that drive their work, and they encourage everyone to become a data explorer by visiting the European Health Information Gateway.
WHO supports Tajikistan in developing national AMR action plan 04-10-2016
On 22–25 August 2016, WHO experts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) held a series of meetings in Tajikistan to support the country’s development of a national action plan on AMR.
Day 4 highlights: countries commit to strengthening the use of evidence and research in policy-making 15-09-2016
On the final day of the 66th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, Member States adopted a European action plan to strengthen the use of evidence, information and research for policy-making. They also approved an action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, which complements global plans and builds on the previous regional strategy.
WHO supports development of antimicrobial resistance surveillance system in Uzbekistan 08-09-2016
From 22 to 26 August 2016, key experts from WHO visited Uzbekistan to provide the country with technical assistance in establishing a national antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance system. Meetings were held with key stakeholders at the Ministry of Health, national experts and international partners.
Workshop for strengthening the CAESAR network in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 11-07-2016
A workshop for strengthening the national Central Asian and Eastern European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (CAESAR) network, and to discuss and practice the use of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines in microbiological laboratories took place on 10 June 2016.
Antimicrobial resistance stakeholders meeting in the Republic of Moldova 24-06-2016
The National Intersectoral Working Group on AMR Control convened for the first time during a recent visit of a high-level team from the Regional Office to the Republic of Moldova on 20–21 June 2016.
Bulgaria hosts roundtable on rational use of antibiotics in children 07-06-2016
On 1 June 2016, the Healthcare Committee at the 43rd National Assembly in Bulgaria together with the patient organization "Together with you" organized a roundtable discussion on the role of physicians, pharmacists and patients to encourage the rational use of antibiotics in children.
Strengthening intersectoral collaboration and communication in food safety 07-06-2016
On 20–21 April 2016, an intersectoral food safety workshop took place in Tirana, Albania, with the support of WHO/Europe and the WHO Country Office in Albania.
Clean hands save lives – World Hand Hygiene Day in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 25-05-2016
Recognizing hand hygiene as one of the most effective measures for infection prevention and control, the WHO Country Office helped celebrate World Hand Hygiene Day on 5 May 2016 with the slogan: "See your hands – hand hygiene supports safe surgical care".
Crown Princess of Denmark advocates immunization and addressing antimicrobial resistance 28-04-2016
Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Denmark visited WHO/Europe on 19 April 2016 and held discussions with Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, to plan forthcoming collaboration.
Training course on mentoring skills for consultants in antimicrobial resistance 31-03-2016
On 23–25 February 2016, WHO/Europe conducted a course, which trained consultants working with laboratories on antimicrobial resistance to integrate the implementation of quality management systems into their visits, and to provide remote support to laboratories between visits.
Antibiotic awareness drives digital conversation in European countries 16-03-2016
The use of social and other digital media – Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, text messages, video and websites – for health messaging is growing rapidly in the WHO European Region. All 19 of the non-EU countries that participated in the first World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) in 2015 used digital media to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance. This marks a tremendous change from a couple of years earlier, when only around 10% of these countries used digital media to promote campaigns.
Serbia joins global efforts to reduce antimicrobial resistance 03-03-2016
The Ministry of Health of Serbia announced the development of a national strategy and action plan to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in accordance with WHO's global action plan on AMR.
10 countries participate in subregional consultation on antimicrobial consumption 22-02-2016
In the framework of WHO/Europe's Antimicrobial Medicines Consumption Network, a subregional consultation for Russian-speaking countries took place in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova on 17–18 February 2016.
Ministry of Health of Turkey holds symposium on rational use of antibiotics during first World Antibiotic Awareness Week 17-12-2015
The Turkish Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency of the Ministry of Health organized an antibiotic awareness symposium in Istanbul on 18–20 November 2015 to participate in WHO's first World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) held on 16–22 November 2015.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day 16-12-2015
In context with the European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November 2015, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health launched activities on social media (Facebook) and its website. The main topic was the prudent use of antibiotics.
Subregional intersectoral training for the central Asian republics on antimicrobial resistance from a food safety perspective 11-12-2015
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant public health problem that is receiving increasing attention worldwide. Any kind of antibiotic use in people, animals or plants can promote the development and spread of antibiotic resistance.
WHO Country Office, Montenegro organizes conference to coincide with European Antibiotic Awareness Day 01-12-2015
On 18 November 2015 in Podgorica, Montenegro, the WHO Country Office organized a conference named "Bacterial resistance to antibiotics – are we GETTING POWERLESS?" The aim of the conference was to present and discuss the importance of the rational use of antibiotics, and to present to the health sector how this can be efficiently achieved.
Training course on antimicrobial resistance surveillance and stewardship in Istanbul, Turkey 01-12-2015
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a threat to adequate treatment of infectious diseases in individual patients and has been associated with higher morbidity, higher mortality and longer hospital stay, thus having an effect on the individual, but also society at large.
Slovakia takes action against growing antibiotic resistance 19-11-2015
Slovakia joins the first World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW), announced by WHO, taking place on 16–22 November 2015.
New WHO report shows comparable antibiotic resistance in EU and non-EU countries in the European Region 12-11-2015
Antibiotic resistance is a global threat. Data from more countries improve understanding of antibiotic resistance across the WHO European Region and can guide countries in building or strengthening their national surveillance. The first World Antibiotic Awareness Week takes place on 16–22 November 2015.
Vaccinating salmon: how Norway avoids antibiotics in fish farming 29-10-2015
Norway has cut antibiotic use in salmon – one of the principal foods consumed in the country and a major export – to virtually zero. This has led to a flourishing industry and a reduction in the risk of antibiotic resistance in humans.
New Minister of Health of the Republic of Moldova visits WHO/Europe 07-10-2015
Mrs Ruxanda Glavan, newly appointed Minister of Health, visited WHO/Europe to meet Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, and senior management on 5 October 2015.
Antimicrobial stewardship online course successfully organized in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 09-07-2015
An open dialogue and certificate award ceremony was held on 30 June 2015 at the Medical Faculty in Skopje regarding the online course Antimicrobial Stewardship: Optimization of Antibiotic Practices.
Uzbekistan survey on occurrence of Salmonella and Campylobacter from humans and poultry and their antimicrobial resistance 10-06-2015
A survey on the occurrence of Salmonella and Campylobacter from humans and poultry in Uzbekistan and their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was conducted during January–May 2015 within the framework of the biennial collaborative agreement for 2014–2015 between WHO/Europe and Uzbekistan.
Austria focuses on surveillance, prevention of nosocomial infections 09-06-2015
Surveillance and prevention of nosocomial infections were the focus of an event organized on the occasion of World Hand Hygiene Day on 5 May 2015.
Days 5 to 7 of the World Health Assembly: highlights for the European Region 27-05-2015
Discussions continued in the drafting group on the draft decision on Ebola and follow-up to the Special session of the Executive Board on the Ebola emergency. Particular focus was given to core capacity assessment for implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and to the contingency fund.
Region-wide celebration of European Antibiotic Awareness Day 31-12-2014
Antibiotic resistance affects the entire WHO European Region, driven by the overuse, underuse and misuse of antibiotics. Since 2008, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and Member States in the European Region have celebrated European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) on 18 November to raise awareness of this issue and emphasize every person’s shared responsibility to help prevent it. For the past 3 years, WHO/Europe has joined in marking EAAD, with more countries taking part each year.
WHO/Europe supports Albania in development of plan to combat antimicrobial resistance 19-12-2014
A team of experts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from WHO/Europe, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) and the University of Copenhagen visited Tirana, Durres and Shkodra in Albania on 24-27 November 2014.
Feeding the world safely 25-11-2014
The importance of food safety as an essential element of food and nutrition security was discussed as part of the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2), held in Rome last week.
Self-medication and the role of pharmacists: join the Twitter chat on antibiotic resistance 14-11-2014
Experts from WHO/Europe and its partners will answer questions on antibiotic resistance during a live Twitter chat on 18 November 2014, from 13:00 to 14:00 CET (12:00–13:00 UTC/GMT).
Pharmacists have decisive role in combating antibiotic resistance, says new WHO European survey 13-11-2014
Pharmacists are among the best positioned to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics, according to a new survey in the WHO European Region. They therefore have a crucial role in combating antimicrobial resistance, along with policy-makers and health practitioners: every player is key. On European Antibiotic Awareness Day, 18 November 2014, WHO advocates increasing the prudent use of antibiotics through pharmaceutical services in Europe.
Promoting rational use of antibiotics in the former Yugosalv Republic of Macedonia 23-10-2014
Considering the exceptionally high levels of antibiotic prescription, dispensing and consumption in the former Yugosalv Republic of Macedonia, WHO/Europe is supporting a national campaign to promote rational use of antibiotics. The campaign is part of a larger awareness-raising project on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) initiated and organized by the Ministry of Health, the Health Insurance Fund, the Institute for Public Health and the think tank Centre for Regional Policy Research and Cooperation ‘Studiorum’.
Highlights of RC64 day 4 – Ebola emergency update, food and nutrition action plan adopted, and six European progress reports discussed 18-09-2014
On its final day, the 64th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC64) enthusiastically adopted the European Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015–2020
Highlights of RC64 day 2 – Ebola emergency and nomination of Regional Director 16-09-2014
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan described the harm done in West Africa by the Ebola outbreak, and the global lessons to be learned from the emergency. Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, was nominated for a second five-year term.
Highlights of day 1 – Focus on more equitable, sustainable health for Europe 15-09-2014
“Our aim will be better health for Europe, more equitable and sustainable,” said Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, in her address to representatives of all 53 Member States in the WHO European Region.
Final versions of documents for RC64 now available 14-08-2014
Final versions of documents for the 64th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe are now available for download.
Public health and veterinary professionals get training in food safety 11-07-2014
A 5-day food safety training took place in Tirana, Albania this week, bringing together 40 professionals from the public health and veterinary sectors in Albania and Kosovo (in accordance with Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)). The training included laboratory and epidemiology sessions to build capacity in detection and surveillance of Salmonella, Campylobacter and related antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Contributions invited to develop global action plan on antimicrobial resistance 09-07-2014
WHO is leading the development of a global action plan to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as requested by the Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly in May 2014.
Health, environment and agriculture sectors must tackle antibiotic resistance together 30-06-2014
Health ministers and senior officials from 20 countries around the world called for intensified political action to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which threatens the prevention and treatment of more and more infections.
Creating capacity to tailor public health programmes 27-06-2014
WHO/Europe provided training to consultants from 8 countries on 23–24 June 2014 on implementation of the WHO/Europe "Tailoring immunization programmes" (TIP) guide and related guides developed to promote uptake of influenza vaccination (TIP Flu) and support the response to antimicrobial resistance (TAP).
WHO supports laboratory surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Belarus 02-06-2014
A scientific and practical seminar on antimicrobial resistance and implementation of WHONET in public health was held in Minsk, Belarus, on 24 – 25 April 2014 for local and international laboratory services specialists. WHONET is software developed for the management and analysis of microbiology laboratory data with a special focus on the analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility test results
Save Lives – Clean Your Hands campaign in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 01-06-2014
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia celebrated the WHO global campaign Save Lives – Clean Your Hands on 5 May 2014 through a series of events to draw attention to the role of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of drug-resistant germs. Particular focus was placed on conveying the message to health workers that they should practice good hand hygiene when caring for patients to protect them from contracting infections in health facilities.
World Health Assembly closes: resolution on antimicrobial resistance approved 27-05-2014
The Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly closed on Saturday 24 May 2014, after adopting more than 20 resolutions on public health issues of global importance.
Assessment of antimicrobial resistance in the Republic of Moldova 22-05-2014
A team of experts led by WHO/Europe conducted an assessment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the Republic of Moldova on 8–10 April 2014.
Applications now welcome for observership at WHO/Europe 16-05-2014
Members of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) can apply now to spend 3 days as observers at WHO/Europe.
Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) on antimicrobial stewardship 15-05-2014
WHO/Europe aims to identify free, high-quality educational resources on antimicrobial issues and antimicrobial stewardship. One such example is the Stanford University free online course to introduce the basic elements of antimicrobial stewardship, "Antimicrobial Stewardship: Optimization of Antibiotic Practices".
New report: antibiotic resistance a global health threat 30-04-2014
A new WHO report, “Antimicrobial resistance: global report on surveillance”, launched today, provides the most comprehensive picture of antibiotic resistance across the world to date, with data from 114 countries. The findings document resistance to antibiotics, especially so-called last resort antibiotics, in all regions of the world. It also shows the gaps in surveillance systems and the need for a standardized approach to tracking and monitoring the issue.
New data on antibiotic use in European Region 20-03-2014
WHO/Europe and the University of Antwerp, Belgium have made the first collection and analysis of data on antibiotic use in 13 countries and areas in eastern Europe and central Asia. This research is vital to address the challenge of antibiotic resistance.
Four-fold difference in antibiotic consumption across the European Region – new WHO report 20-03-2014
A new report published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases on 20 March 2014, is the first to release data on total antibiotic consumption for countries outside the European Union (EU). The data (from 2011) indicate an almost fourfold difference between the lowest and the highest antibiotic users among 42 countries and regions in the WHO European Region (within and outside the EU), and provide a clear picture of the use of different groups of antibiotics.
Regional Director: health systems should be accessible to all 07-03-2014
Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, spoke of the challenges of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in her keynote speech at the opening of the Joint Meeting of Chief Medical, Chief Nursing and Chief Dental Officers, held in Athens, Greece on 4–5 March 2014.
Georgia: Preparing a response to antibiotic resistance 05-03-2014
A team of international experts visited Georgia on 10-14 February 2014 to prepare recommendations for the Georgian Strategic Action plan Against AMR and to support establishment of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Lugar Center as an AMR Public Health Reference Center for Georgia.
Healthcare officials trained in improving hand hygiene in Poland 27-01-2014
A one-day introduction to hand hygiene improvement based on the WHO Five Moments Approach took place in the WHO Country Office, Poland on 14 January 2014.
Workshop on surveillance of antibiotic resistance, consumption and awareness raising 24-01-2014
Since the adoption of the strategic action plan on antibiotic resistance in September 2011, WHO/Europe and partners have initiated several activities to increase the knowledge, capacity and awareness of European countries to address this public health threat. On 6-8 November 2013, WHO/Europe organized a regional workshop on surveillance of antibiotic resistance, consumption and awareness raising, hosted by the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), in Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
Initiating a response to antibiotic resistance in Turkey 07-01-2014
On 4–5 December 2013, Turkey´s Ministry of Health organized the first national antimicrobial resistance (AMR) laboratory surveillance network (NAMRS) meeting in Ankara, Turkey with technical support from WHO/Europe.
Marking European Antibiotic Awareness Day in Georgia 18-12-2013
European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) is celebrated on 18 November each year to draw attention to the threat of antimicrobial resistance to public health. In Georgia this year, WHO/Europe marked EAAD with a press conference hosted by the Georgian Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health in Tbilisi, Georgia.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day 2013: everyone is responsible 18-11-2013
Mapping both the consumption of antibiotics and the resistance patterns of infectious agents is important to spot and tackle a growing public health problem.
Antibiotics Awareness Day activities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 15-11-2013
To mark the European Antibiotics Awareness Day on 18 November 2013, various awareness-raising activities will take place in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. A video developed for this occasion on the rational use of antibiotics will be launched at a press conference, where WHO/Europe will also disseminate additional information on this topic. The video illustrates the key message that antibiotics are not always needed, and that they should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor.
Twitter chat: ask experts questions on antibiotic resistance 08-11-2013
To mark European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), WHO/Europe and its partners are holding a live Twitter chat on antibiotic resistance. Experts from WHO/Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Commission directorates-general for research and for health and consumers will answer your questions. The chat will take place on Monday, 18 November 2013, from 12:00 to 13:30 UTC/GMT (13:00 to 14:30 CET).
UK healthcare workforce brought together to address hospital infections 18-06-2013
The United Kingdom is a major advocate for action to reduce infections in hospital settings. Tackling antibiotic resistant infections plays a major role in this.
Technical training in Tajikistan enhances food safety 05-06-2013
Five days of hands-on laboratory training in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, came to an end on 24 May 2013. Thirty food safety professionals from the public health and veterinary sectors took part in the training, which focused on early detection of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp., two very common bacteria causing foodborne diseases, as well as resistance to antibiotics in these bacteria.
Applications welcome for observership at WHO/Europe 18-04-2013
The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) is sponsoring a three-day observership for five people in WHO/Europe’s Division of Communicable Diseases, Health Security and Environment.
WHO/Europe in Copenhagen moving to new premises 05-04-2013
WHO/Europe’s head office, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is moving to new premises during 22 March to 1 April 2013. All United Nations organizations in the Danish capital will come together in new premises known as UN City.
National conference in Montenegro promotes action to combat antibiotic resistance 30-11-2012
European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) was marked in Montenegro on 23 November 2012 with a national conference to promote the National Strategy on Control of Bacterial Resistance to Antibiotics adopted by the Government of Montenegro in September 2012.
Self-prescription of antibiotics boosts superbugs epidemic in the European Region 16-11-2012
Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Viruses, which antibiotics do not affect, cause 9 out of 10 sore throats and 10 out of 10 cases of influenza. Taking antibiotics unnecessarily weakens their ability to work against infections when they are needed. This enables bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. On European Antibiotic Awareness Day 2012 (1), WHO advises the public to use antibiotics only when and as prescribed by a doctor.
Antibiotic resistance: a growing threat 16-11-2012
The effectiveness of antibiotics is under threat because they are often misused. WHO advises the public to use antibiotics only when and as prescribed by a doctor. 18 November is European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD).
Ask the experts about antibiotic resistance: join the #EAAD chat on Twitter 14-11-2012
Experts from WHO/Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Commission will answer questions on antibiotic resistance during a live Twitter chat on Tuesday, 20 November 2012, from 14:00 to 15:00 UTC/GMT (15:00–16:00 CET). The chat is part of activities throughout the WHO European Region to mark European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD).
Antibiotic resistance surveillance network extended throughout European Region 02-11-2012
On 30 October, WHO/Europe signed an agreement with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) of the Netherlands, and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) to expand surveillance of antibiotic resistance to cover all countries in the WHO European Region.
Report on WHO/Europe’s work in 2010–2011 out now 23-10-2012
In a report on her first two years as WHO Regional Director for Europe, “What we’ve achieved together”, Zsuzsanna Jakab describes the work of WHO/Europe with Member States.
2nd workshop on antimicrobial use in southern and eastern European countries: from data-collection to data-analysis 06-09-2012
On 3-6 September 2012, WHO/Europe together with Antwerp University, Belgium, the Netherlands institute for health services research (NIVEL) and in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), held the second workshop on antimicrobial use in Utrecht, Netherlands.
Assessing antibiotic resistance in Belarus 15-06-2012
On 4–8 June 2012, WHO/Europe assessed the prevention and control of antibiotic resistance through surveillance, the prudent use of antibiotics and infection control.
Antibiotic resistance: what is not measured, is not done. Surveillance to be strengthened throughout Europe 17-11-2011
The two most common antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and resistant Escherichia coli – caused 8215 excess deaths (5503 and 2712, respectively) in 31 European countries in 2007.
Opening of exhibition: “Antibiotics – an Endangered Treasure of Humankind": Prague, Czech Republic, 21 June 2011 26-07-2011
The opening ceremony and press conference of the exhibition, attended by WHO/Europe staff, were held at the National Museum of the Czech Republic in Prague.
Patient participation encourages hand hygiene 05-05-2011
Depending on the country, 3.5–14.8% of patients in hospitals and other health care facilities in the European Union acquire at least one hospital infection during their stay. WHO’s annual global campaign on 5 May, Save Lives: Clean Your Hands, seeks to improve hand hygiene among health care professionals.
Experts in Moscow discuss antibiotic resistance on World Health Day 08-04-2011
Experts in Moscow discuss antibiotic resistance on World Health Day A scientific seminar held in Moscow, Russian Federation was one of many events organized throughout the European Region on World Health Day to highlight the challenge of antibiotic resistance.
WHO Regional Office for Europe provides technical assistance to Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan on the rational use of drugs 07-04-2011
On 23–29 March 2011, Dr. V.S Shoukhov, a WHO Consultant provided technical assistance on the introduction and support for the rational use of drugs in Turkmenistan. During the mission, course work with specialists of the State Centre on Drug Registration was completed as part of the next step of the National Drug Formulary development.
Round Table discussion in Turkmenistan: Antimicrobial resistance: No Action today – no cure tomorrow! 07-04-2011
A round table discussion on new and effective ways to combat antimicrobial resistance was held by the Ministry of Health and the Medical Industry of Turkmenistan in honor of the World Health Day 2011 theme and in collaboration with the WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan and USAID project on 4 April 2011.
Complacency kills. Antibiotic resistance still on the rise in Europe 07-04-2011
Every year in the European Union alone it is estimated that over 25 000 people die of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, mostly acquired in hospitals. In the wider WHO European Region, which encompasses 53 countries, the full number is not known as data are not available, but the signs suggest that the situation is even worse. Doctors and scientists across the Region fear that with the reckless use of antibiotics, resulting in the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant infections, we could return to a pre-antibiotic era where simple infections do not respond to treatment, and routine operations and interventions may become life-threatening.
World Health Day 2011 06-04-2011
Antibiotic resistance is a concern for everyone. People personally affected by it or who are working to improve the situation share their experiences. World Health Day 2011 – Antibiotic resistance: no action today, no cure tomorrow.
Poland World Health Day 2011 – Antibiotic resistance: No action today, no cure tomorrow 05-04-2011
On 7 April 2011, Poland will celebrate World Health Day by organizing a nationwide conference on Antibiotic resistance at the Ministry of Heath.
Reporting systems enhance quality of health care services 03-02-2011
Any system for reporting adverse events should definitely not serve to punish health care providers, health professionals participating in a recent conference in Bratislava, Slovakia said. On the contrary, such a system should serve as a learning opportunity for them as well as for decision-makers to take proper measures to improve the environment in health care facilities, including the working conditions of the staff.
Containing antimicrobial resistance is the theme of World Health Day 2011 21-12-2010
Developing strategy on antibacterial resistance 18-11-2010
The Standing Committee of the Regional Committee has approved a concept paper on WHO/Europe’s developing a strategy to contain antibacterial resistance.