Let's Act Together in One Health Now to End the AMR Pandemic!

SEAOHUN 2022 In celebration of the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) on 18-24 Nov.

The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in the early 20 th century changed the history of medicine forever. However today, nearly a century after the great discovery, many antimicrobials, including antibiotics, have lost their effectiveness due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Did you know? Every year, AMR is responsible for more than 700,000 deaths worldwide andit is predicted that there will be 10 million deaths every year due to AMR by 2050 (One every 3 seconds!). Especially in Southeast Asia, an epicenter of emerging infectious diseases, the burden of AMR is even higher with significant impacts on country economies, the environment, and the health of humans and animals. In 2019, it was estimated that over 97,000 people died in Southeast Asia because of AMR. According to WHO’s Global Health Estimates, inaction on AMR will lead to a decrease of up to 3.8% annual gross domestic product (GDP) and have a significant impact on global poverty in coming decades if no action is taken now.

AMR is mainly caused by the irresponsible and excessive use of antimicrobials in human medicine, animal husbandry and agriculture. Adapting a One Health approach is the best way to tackle this complex problem because joint efforts from the human, animal and environmental health disciplines will more effectively respond to AMR than working in silos.

Let’s act together in One Health NOW to end the AMR pandemic!

SEAOHUN recently opened our third annual Regional Student Competition. This year, students have been challenged to use art to communicate AMR. In celebration of the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) on 18-24 Nov, we will be announcing the winning teams on 23 rd Nov. Please stay tuned for the finalists’ artworks and you will have a chance to Vote for your favorite team!

Do you want to know about the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): the silent and biggest threat to health of human, animal and environment? Let’s have some quizzes today to test your knowledge and learn about Antimicrobial Resistance!

Enjoy the quiz here! https://qz.app.do/antimicrobial-resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (#AMR) has had an enormous impact on the health of humans, animals and the environment. During the SEAOHUN 2022 International Conference, we prioritized AMR as a key conference theme in order for conference delegates to learn more about trends and drivers of AMR, AMR surveillance methods and examples of multidisciplinary methods for analyzing and documenting efforts. A plenary session highlighted the need to gather evidence to influence policy changes, and for a multisectoral response from governments, civil society, and the private sector. Parallel sessions and poster presentations provided specific examples of AMR research and programs in different countries. Researchers presented findings showing numerous microbes that have grown resistant to antimicrobials for animals and humans, and practitioners highlighting gaps in awareness among community members related to overuse of antimicrobials in their homes and farms. The Conference illustrated good One Health practices that targeted key population groups to raise awareness of AMR. In a region where agriculture and aquaculture are critical sources of income and subsistence for people, the conference put a spotlight on AMR and the One Health approach in combatting this silent pandemic.

“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to everyone. Let’s join forces to fight against AMR. Together, we will win.” - Ruangwit Thamaree, MD, Senior Medical Affairs, ManagerAMR Strategic Lead, Pfizer Thailand.

"Finally, we actively participate in a One Health approach that brings together human and veterinary medicine, public health, and the agriculture, food manufacturing and retailing communities to create a common understanding and set of solutions. In a One Health conversation, we can offer technical expertise from our research and development staff as well as insights from our team of veterinarians who work daily with farmers, animal caregivers and other veterinarians." - Kristin Peck, Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Operations, shares her insights on the importance of antibiotic stewardship.