Since 2015, at the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), World Antibiotic Awareness Week has been held in November.
This year, World Antibiotic Awareness Week in the WHO European Region is once again dedicated to the implementation of the "One Health" approach, which is based on the inseparable link between human health and animal health. The misuse of antimicrobial drugs for treating both humans and animals accelerates the spread of resistance to this type of medication, which in the long term can lead to serious consequences for public health.
The aim of this week is to raise public awareness of the problem of antimicrobial resistance and to encourage the general public, specialists in various fields (healthcare, agriculture and food, natural resources and environmental protection), and policymakers to adopt advanced approaches that prevent its further development and spread.
Key Facts about Antimicrobial Resistance
- Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious threats to human health, food security, and development.
- Antibiotic resistance can affect anyone, of any age, in any country.
- Antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon, but the misuse of antibiotics by people and their improper administration to animals accelerates this process.
- An increasing number of infectious diseases (e.g., pneumonia, tuberculosis, salmonellosis) are becoming harder to treat due to the reduced effectiveness of antibiotics.
- The consequences of antibiotic resistance include longer hospital stays, increased medical costs, and mortality.
Currently, approximately 700,000 people die annually due to antimicrobial resistance. According to experts, if the situation with antibiotic use does not change, then by 2050, antimicrobial resistance will cause 10 million deaths annually and will exceed mortality from cancer.
What can everyone do to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance?
- take antibacterial medicines only as prescribed by a healthcare professional
- always follow the healthcare professional's recommendations when using antibacterial medicines
- never give your antibacterial medicines to other people, do not use leftover antibiotics
- prevent infectious diseases by timely vaccination, observing personal hygiene rules, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
More information here:
Prepared by specialists of the Lepel District Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology based on materials from the State Institution "Republican Centre for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health" and the WHO