Go blue for antimicrobial resistance

City of Kitchener's Carl Zehr Square lights up for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week By Milana Madzarac School of Pharmacy Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a top global threat to both human health and food security - with significant negative economic impacts - yet most people are unaware of the harm it is causing to society. Modern medicine, agriculture and veterinary care all depend on the availability of effective antimicrobials. However, since their discovery, antibiotics and antimicrobials such as antivirals and antifungals have become less effective as microbes develop resistance to them. This makes it harder to treat infections when they occur and more dangerous to provide advanced medical therapies, such as chemotherapy and surgery. As a result, it is estimated that 15 Canadians die each day from AMR. World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is an annual campaign that runs from November 18-24 to highlight the consequences of AMR and share strategies to combat it through global innovation, monitoring and education. On November 24, buildings across Canada will be lit blue to bring awareness to AMR.