Introduction to antimicrobial resistance and how it can be spread, as well as the basic preventive measures.

1. Presented by: Martin M N Forkpah
BSc Biology
ED CHS
May 13, 2023

2. ADD A FOOTER 2

3. ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health
threat that occurs when microbes evolve mechanisms
that protect them from the effects of drugs used to
treat infections.
• AMR can affect bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
• AMR can make infections harder to treat and increase
the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death
ADD A FOOTER 3

4. • The problem of AMR has been exacerbated by the
overuse and misuse of antibiotics, antivirals,
antifungals, and other antimicrobial drugs in
humans, animals, and plants.
• Inappropriate use of these drugs, such as taking them
without a prescription, not finishing a prescribed
course of treatment, and using them to treat viral
infections, has contributed to the development and
spread of AMR.
Be AMR Smart
4

5. The effects of AMR on human health are
profound.
Effects on Human Health
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans is inter-
linked with AMR in other populations, especially farm
animals, and in the wider environment.
• People infected with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are
at increased risk of developing severe and potentially
life-threatening infections.
• These infections may require more extensive and
expensive treatment, longer hospital stays, and may
result in increased mortality rates.
• The World Health Organization estimates that AMR
currently causes around 700,000 deaths annually, and
this number is projected to rise to 10 million deaths per
year by 2050 if the problem is not addressed.
• Some resistant bacteria include: Mycobacterium
tuberculosis or Staphylococcus pneumoniae
ADD A FOOTER
5

6. ADD A FOOTER
6
Effects on animals health
• The effects of AMR are not limited to human health.
• Industrial agriculture in its present form relies heavily
on the widespread use of antimicrobials to improve
animal health, welfare and productivity.
• The use of antimicrobial drugs in agriculture and
veterinary medicine has contributed to the
development of AMR in animals and plants as well.
• AMR in animals can lead to a reduction in animal
welfare and productivity, as well as an increase in the
cost of animal production.
• Antimicrobials are used on livestock farms for a number of reasons:
I. as therapeutics;
II. more commonly as metaphylactics, meaning that the presence
of clinical illness in one animal triggers drug treatment of the
whole herd or flock;
III. prophylactics
IV. growth promotion.

7. ADD A FOOTER 7
• There is a link between humans, animals and plants in the spread of AMR

8. ADD A FOOTER
8
• AMR causes a reduction in the effectiveness
of medicines, making infections and diseases
difficult or impossible to treat.
• AMR is associated with increased mortality,
prolonged illnesses in people and animals,
production losses in agriculture, livestock
and aquaculture.
• This threatens global health, livelihoods and
food security

9. Questions and Answers