Environmental Dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance: Another Pandemic in the Making?

For decades antimicrobials have contributed to the reduction of infectious diseases in humans, animals and plants, saving lives and increasing productivity. Their effectiveness is now in jeopardy. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi are resistant to antimicrobial treatments used in healthcare and in crop and animal production. Given the interconnection of human, animal, plant and ecosystems health, a ‘One Health’ response to AMR is essential.