Rise of AMR could result in up to 10 million annual deaths by 2050: UN report

• The findings are part of report by UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on environmental dimensions of AMR, which already is taking a serious toll on health of humans, animals, and plants, as well as the economy.
  • AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi become resistant to antimicrobial treatments to which they were previously susceptible.

Key Findings of the report

• Microorganisms (particularly bacteria) can acquire resistance following contact with resistant microorganisms that may have originated or introduced in environment.
• When antimicrobials are released into environment new AMR can develop by:
  • Spontaneous mutation, acquisition and transmission by mobile genetic elements.
  • Horizontal gene transfer events between environmental and plant, animal or human associated bacteria.
• AMR challenges are closely linked to triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution and waste.
• 3 key sectors of AMR development and spread in environment:
  • Pharmaceuticals and other chemical manufacturing,
  • agriculture and food production,
• Transmission and spread of AMR are not confined to point-sources. Transient and diffuse sources, which include water agricultural runoff, airborne transmission, wildlife migration etc can also be important.

Recommendations

• A concerted systems approach like One Health Approach.
• Integration of environmental considerations into AMR National Action Plans.
• Create robust national level governance, planning and legal framework.
• Increase global efforts to improve integrated water management.
• Environmental monitoring and surveillance.