What is antimicrobial resistance?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change to become resistant to antimicrobial medicines. Antimicrobials include antibiotics, antivials, antifungals and antiparasitics. This resistance means that antimicrobials are no longer effective against infections caused by these microorganisms, which are sometimes called ‘superbugs’. As a result it becomes harder to treat infections, which increases the risk of infectious diseases and of disease spreading.1
What causes AMR?
Antimicrobial resistance occurs naturally over time, usually as the genetic make-up of microorganisms develops. However, inappropriate use of antimicrobials in people, animals and crops is strongly accelerating this process.
For example, antibiotics are used in cases of colds and flu, even though they are not effective against viral infections. Antibiotics that are critical to human health are prescribed in cases where less powerful medicines would be effective. Antibiotics are used to prevent infections, when other approaches could work equally well. They are also used to promote animal growth.
Other factors that accelerate AMR include poor infection prevention and control practices, limited surveillance of infection rates globally and a lack of development of new antimicrobial drugs.2
Why is AMR a major threat?
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the top 10 global public health threats in the 21st century.
World Health Organization3
Accelerated resistance to antimicrobials has led to an alarming increase in life-threatening infections across the world. Pneumonia, drug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV drug resistance are on the rise. There is also steep growth in bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and many hospital-acquired infections. Virtually all influenza A viruses in humans are now resistant to one category of antiviral drugs.
At the same time that existing treatments for many infections are becoming less effective, the range of infections caused by these microorganisms is growing.
AMR has a ripple effect on other health issues: without effective antibiotics, medical procedures such as surgeries, chemotherapy and diabetes management become much riskier and more challenging.
AMR and the veterinary professions
AMR has major implications for the health of animals. Resistant bacteria can spread between and within animal, human and plant populations, travelling through waterways, soil and air.
As in human health, the drugs previously used to treat certain infections are becoming less effective, which can lead to poorer outcomes. In commercial farming, this can reduce productivity, and threaten food security and livelihoods.
Veterinary professionals have a vital part to play in tackling AMR. Antimicrobial stewardship is the cornerstone of safeguarding the effectiveness of these medicines.
There are many aspects to ensuring antimicrobials are used responsibly, and everyone in the veterinary team can contribute. For example, practices need to consider prescribing practices, and storage and disposal protocols.
It is also important to work closely with owners on the bigger picture of animal health. This will help to plan for outbreaks, prevent and manage infections, and protect patients, owners and the community.
AMR is a complex global issue that everyone must work together to tackle…Together we can make a real difference.”
Fergus Allerton
Plan, prevent, protect
The plan, prevent, protect approach is a framework that can be used in practice to reduce the need for antibiotics. Safeguarding our resources takes more than just thinking about using medicines responsibility, it requires a holistic approach.
Plan
This is about planning ahead and knowing the risks and disease threats.
Work with your clients to plan ahead. Consider individual patients as well as cohorts and groups. Consider their diet and condition. Are they fit and healthy? What is their breed and how might this affect the risks? Think of the unexpected and create a dynamic and responsive contingency plan.
Prevent
This is about preventing disease threats by reviewing animal management and husbandry.
Consider your patient’s environment. Is it clean, dry and ventilated? How well is their husbandry managed? Could hygiene be improved? The aim here is to prevent unnecessary disease.
Protect
This is about taking steps to protect individual patients, and the wider population.
Protect your patients through good colostrum and comprehensive vaccination. Protect our resources through responsible use and proactive culture and sensitivity testing.
Further reading
Governance on AMR
- UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029 – The UK’s second 5-year national action plan setting out ambitions and actions for the next 5 years in support of the 20-year vision for antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2019 to 2024 – Ambitions and actions for the next 5 years, supporting the 20-year vision for antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
- UK 20-year vision for antimicrobial resistance – This document supports the 20-year vision for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and how the UK will contribute to containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance by 2040.
- Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance 2024 (UK VARSS) – This report provides the details of UK veterinary antibiotic resistance and sales surveillance.
- RUMA Targets Task Force 2: Five Years On – A report summarising the fifth year of progress against antibiotic use targets identified by the UK livestock industry.
Current guidelines on AMR
- BSAVA PROTECT ME – BSAVA and SAMSoc have worked together to provide information that is intended to support practices in discussing and drawing up practice guidelines on responsible antibacterial use.
- BSAVA guidelines for responsible antibacterial use – Following these BSAVA guidelines will help to maximise the therapeutic success of antibacterial agents whilst at the same time minimising the development of antibacterial resistance, thereby safeguarding antimicrobials for future veterinary and human use.
- BEVA Protect Me Toolkit – Guidelines on responsible antimicrobial use in equines.
- BVA policy statement on anthelmintic resistance and responsible use in livestock: This statement for the veterinary livestock sector sets out BVA’s policy for judicious use of anthelmintics as part of a farm-specific strategic plan, based on sound scientific principles.
- BVA five point plan for the responsible use of parasiticides for cats and dogs: This poster is designed to support veterinary professionals in their decision making, illustrating the guidance found in the BVA, BSAVA, and BVZS position on the responsible use of parasiticides for cats and dogs.
- Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) Alliance – RUMA guidelines for responsible antimicrobial use in food-producing animal species.
- RUMA guidance on antiparasitics – advice on the responsible use of antiparasitic medicines in farmed species published by the RUMA Alliance and its member organisations.
References
- World Health Organization. 2025. Antimicrobial resistance.
- NHS England. 2024. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
- World Health Organization. 2024. Antimicrobial resistance factsheet.
