AMR in the Light
of COVID-19

From hypothetical to reality:
how COVID-19 foretells a world
without antibiotics

A Webinar Series

Each of us is now living in a world with a nearly untreatable virus — but COVID-19 is not the only threat that we are facing. Many bacterial and fungal infections that were previously considered treatable are no longer responding to the drugs designed to kill them. COVID-19 foreshadows a grim future if we do not mobilize a global response to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Through a four-part series, global experts will discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic could reshape strategies for combating antimicrobial resistance around the world.

The global movement of microorganisms:
Tracking the spread of difficult-to-treat infections

Tracking the spread of COVID-19 has been critical to the global public health response. This information allows hospitals to prepare for surges, governments to deploy testing strategies, and citizens to modify their behavior appropriately. But while information about COVID-19 is readily and publicly available, the world still struggles to monitor and track the spread of drug resistant infections. 

How should global monitoring and data sharing evolve to combat antimicrobial resistance?

Live session aired:
September 24, 2020

Recording now available

Prevention is stronger than a cure

Preventing drug resistant infections reduces the use of antibiotics and improves patient outcomes. Infection control practices, from simple handwashing to global vaccination, and the use of effective infection prevention measures are key tools to combat COVID-19 and AMR. 

How has the COVID-19 pandemic informed our infection prevention efforts for healthcare systems and individuals around the world?

Live session aired:
October 15, 2020

Recording now available

Aiming in the dark: what happens when disease spreads without diagnosis

The pandemic has demonstrated the critical role of diagnostic testing to steer our public health response. It has been shown that diagnostic testing for bacterial and fungal infections results in improved use of antibiotics and antibiotic stewardship. But whereas testing for COVID-19 has benefited from innovation and rapid uptake, testing for drug resistant infections remains underutilized.

How can we improve the effective use of diagnostics, globally, for the diagnosis of bacterial and viral infections?

Live session aired:
November 5, 2020

Recording now available

Responding to difficult-to-treat infections: Role and responsibilities of governments, researchers, industry and patients

Governments, researchers, and industry partners around the world have mobilized to develop diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for COVID-19. The development of new recommendations and practices continue to be deployed to slow the spread of COVID-19. The burden of drug-resistant infections could surpass COVID-19. Drugs like antibiotics are a vital tool for modern medicine, used to prevent and treat infections. As drug-resistant infections are becoming more common, modern medicine as we know it is at risk and much like COVID-19, it has the potential to overwhelm our healthcare structure.

What changes are needed to reshape strategies for combatting antimicrobial resistance globally?

Live session aired:
November 19, 2020

Recording now available