Fighting AMR - Antimicrobial Resistance Opportunity Mapping

There are many approaches to help slow the development and transmission of antimicrobial resistance. The four main intervention pillars identified in this website are:

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an evolutionary defence mechanism that occurs naturally in microbes. It is the microbes that become resistant to the drugs – not people or animals – but our human actions can influence the speed at which resistance develops.

One of the main drivers of AMR is the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. As shown in the diagram below, antibiotics (a type of antimicrobial drug) kill both good and bad bacteria in humans and animals, leaving the drug-resistant bacteria a huge advantage to multiply and grow.

*Diagram from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada’s Spotlight Report 2019: Preserving Antibiotics Now and Into the Future*. Image sourced from Not all Bugs Need Drugs: Canada’s top Doc talks antibiotic resistance —Special Guest Post from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada – Science.gc.ca, June 2022.

“The Antibiotic Apocalypse Explained” by Kurzgesagt – In A Nut Shell. This is an animation video that is slightly sensationalized, but entertaining and effective at showing how AMR can be developed and transmitted. Note that the comments on livestock are generally not applicable in Canada, where animal welfare and antimicrobial use are both regulated. In addition, regulations and inspect i ons ensure that meat sold in Canada is free of any antibiotic residues by ensuring an adequate withdrawal period occurs after any animal is given antibiotics before they enter the human food chain.

Further Reading