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
Supporting Tajikistan in tackling the misuse of antibiotics
To respond to a recent increase in the demand for antibiotics for treating viral infections and to promote their rational use, WHO in collaboration with Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection have conducted trainings in 4 of the largest hospitals in the country. Together, they have reached over 500 clinicians and senior nurses.
News
- Follow WHO’s online film festival throughout October
- Progress reports on health and sustainable development now available for Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
- Moving towards a multisectoral approach to tackling antimicrobial resistance
Advocacy briefs
AMR affects health in different contexts and focusing on different sectors can contribute to managing AMR.
Download the suite of advocacy documentsMultimedia
Video - Antibiotics don’t work on viruses like influenza
Key resource
Central Asian and European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance network (CAESAR)A joint initiative to survey, contain and prevent the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance in the European Region.
Publications
Central Asian and European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance. Annual report 2019
More publications
Data and statistics
33,000
The number of people who die every year in EU/EEA countries due to an infection with a resistant bacterial strain. Estimate for the whole WHO European Region is currently not available.
