Antimicrobial resistance in Australia

Abstract

Volume 27, Supplement, May 2002

This supplement of Communicable Diseases Intelligence contains articles describing various aspects of the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Australia. Three years ago, the Joint Expert Committee on Antibiotic Resistance (JETACAR) released a landmark report entitled The use of antibiotics in food-producing animals: antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals and humans. This report reviewed the scientific evidence on the link between the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals, the emergence and selection of antibiotic resistant bacteria and their spread to humans. In addition, evidence based recommendations were made for the future management of antibiotic use in Australia. In all, 22 recommendations covering areas such as regulatory controls, monitoring and surveillance, infection prevention, education, research, communication and coordination were made. This supplement is an attempt to inform Australian prescribers, regulators and stakeholders on the current state of knowledge about various aspects of antimicrobial use, resistance and surveillance in humans and animals.