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Antimicrobial resistance

    Overview

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.

    AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. As a result, the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spread to others.

    Antimicrobials - including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics - are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants. Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”.

    News

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    WHO AWaRe antibiotic book feedback survey report

    Oct 1, 2025, 11:41 AM

    The 2022 WHO AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book is used to support antibiotic stewardship efforts globally. An online survey was used to obtain feedback on its content, format and suggestions for future updates. The survey was available in English, Spanish and French and open between 15 July to 15 September 2024.

    A total of 301 responses were received, of which 81% (n=244) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The majority (n=282, 94%) of responses were recorded in English and approximately half (157/301, 52%) were health-care workers. Respondents indicated a reliance on multiple resources and guidelines for clinical decision support.

    Clarity and format were generally well received with no major issues identified. Respondents expressed interest in making the book available in different formats and employing various methods such as colour coding and indexing to improve useability.

    According to respondents, the most important topics to consider for addition to the book include targeted therapy for infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (97%, 273/281), Escherichia coli (97%, 269/278) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (96%, 268/278), clinical management of surgical site infections (96%, 286/297) and healthcare-associated infections such as catheter-related bloodstream infections (95%, 265/279) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (95%, 267/282).

    The high ranking of most suggested additional content complicates the prioritization of new topics; however, this also indicates that these updates would be well-received. Updates to the book will be prioritised and completed based on the availability of resources. 

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    Latest publications

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    Regional Roadmap to accelerate actions on antimicrobial resistance in the human health sector in the South-East Asia Region (2025–2030)

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a growing threat to public health, undermining treatment of infectious diseases and progress in modern medicine. Despite...

    Global antibiotic resistance surveillance report 2025: summary

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to global health, undermining the effectiveness of life-saving treatments and placing populations at...

    Global antibiotic resistance surveillance report 2025

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to global health, undermining the effectiveness of life-saving treatments and placing populations at...

    Analysis of antibacterial agents in clinical and preclinical development: overview and analysis 2025

    The World Health Organization’s (WHO) “2025 Antibacterial agents in clinical and preclinical development: an overview and analysis” report...

    Our work

    Documents

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    This guidance note explains the importance of including activities for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and laboratory strengthening into proposals...

    Thumbnail for Global Call to Action to address AMR

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest global health threats of our time, undermining our ability to treat infections and deliver safe medical...

    Get involved in WAAW 2025: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World...

    Cover AMR CHW

    The WHO People-centred approach to addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human health calls for mainstreaming AMR-related interventions into...

    Country profiles

    Country profiles

    Country profiles present selected data, statistics and information to provide national health profiles at given points in time.
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