Cornwall Council’s Public Health team is urging people to think about how they use and dispose of antibiotics and help prevent infections as part of World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week.
The call comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) classed AMR as one of the top 10 global health threats.
AMR occurs when bacteria no longer respond to antibiotics due to excessive and improper use in humans, animals and plants.
It also applies to other antimicrobial medicines, such as antiseptics and antifungals, which are used to treat viruses, fungi and parasites.
It means common infections become harder, if not impossible to treat, even in the young and healthy, posing a huge risk to world health.
Statistics show that AMR contributes to around 5 million deaths a year worldwide, and directly causes 1.3 million.
Dr Ruth Goldstein, assistant director of public health at Cornwall Council, said:
“Antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines have helped save millions of lives over the years and have significantly extended people’s life expectancy. But this could all change if they suddenly become ineffective.
“As resistance spreads, not only will years of scientific progress be wasted but everything we value in life – our health, our food security, the world and animals around us – is also at risk. This is why we need to act now, before it’s too late.”
Public Health Cornwall are asking people to follow this advice:
- Prevent infections by regularly washing your hands
- Stay up to date with your family’s routine and travel vaccinations
- For infections like coughs, colds, sore throats and flu, which our bodies are good at fighting off on their own, talk to a pharmacist about how to treat the symptoms, rather than requesting antibiotics
- Only take antibiotics when and as prescribed and for the duration detailed, and never use leftover antibiotics and never share antibiotics with others
- Return any unused drugs to the vet or pharmacy, always making sure medications are taken as prescribed. Releases from unused drugs disposed of in toilets, bins or waste dumps contribute to antimicrobial resistance
- Keep your pets healthy through good nutrition, relevant vaccinations and worming, and by having regular veterinary health checks
Cllr Dr Andy Virr, cabinet member for adults and public health and an Emergency Department consultant, said:
“I can’t understate how serious a threat AMR poses to people’s health across Cornwall, the country and the whole world. It puts a huge strain on health systems by diminishing the effectiveness of treatments, leading to prolonged illnesses, loss of trust in healthcare and increased healthcare costs.
“At the same time, AMR poses a threat to food security as it can spread through the food chain, impacting animal, plant and human health and causing economic losses in the agricultural sector.
“This is why we all need to take it seriously and play our part in ensuring future generations can continue to benefit from antimicrobial medicines.”
For more information visit World AMR Awareness Week
Press release issued on November 18, 2024