1 in 3 patients received at least one antimicrobial on any given day. Some of this use may be unnecessary and contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
The key messages are based on an article published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The article estimates the burden of five types of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria
On European Antibiotic Awareness Day, ECDC publishes the results of two point-prevalence surveys of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in hospitals and in long-term care facilities in the EU/EEA.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) partners with a number of EU professional and patient organisation with an interest on prudent use of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance. Since 2008, when EAAD started, the support of these organisations has been pivotal for the success of the initiative.
ECDC cooperates closely with EU agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the European Environment Agency (EEA) for European Antibiotic Awareness Day. ECDC also participates in the Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance (TATFAR) and is in close contact with the EU Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-associated Infections.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) works closely with the European Commission and with other EU agencies, stakeholders and organisations running awareness campaigns on prudent use of antibiotics related to both human and animal health - in line with the European Commission ‘One health’ approach.