Slowing the spread of antimicrobial resistance

By Jennifer Reynolds 
Communication Professional for the Center for Food Safety

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is held annually between Nov. 18 and 24. This year’s theme, Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance, is targeted at slowing the spread of antimicrobial resistance. 

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs evolve to stop responding to medicines and other interventions. It has been called one of the biggest threats to global health by the World Health Organization, and one way that it is spread is through the food chain, but there are things we can do to help slow the spread. 

Simple steps such as seeking medical advice when ill, taking antibiotics as prescribed and practicing food safety in the kitchen can help slow the development of antimicrobial resistance. To see a short video explaining what you can do to keep your food safe, visit this link.

To read about how one Center for Food Safety researcher is doing his part to track antibiotic resistance genes that are spreading around the world, visit this link.