Health experts around the world are more and more concerned about the overuse of antimicrobials. A growing number of bacteria and other disease-causing organisms are developing resistance to these drugs. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says the growing resistance is a threat to people and animals alike. The FAO recently noted an increased use and abuse of antimicrobial medicines in both human and animal healthcare. It said their use and abuse has led to a growing number of disease-causing microbes that are resistant to traditional medicines. FAO officials say this can be seen, for example, in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. The problem is so serious that U.N. officials called a high-level meeting to consider the dangers of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance is also called AMR. But just how widespread is antimicrobial use? “We don't really know how much of the antimicrobials, including antibiotics, are being used in food and agriculture.”

What does antimicrobial mean?
to lack white blood cells
a type of illness
something that causes disease
an agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth
Who are the resistant antimicrobials a threat to?
people and animals
insects
plants
animals only
A growing number of bacteria and other disease-causing organisms are developing resistance to these drugs.
cures
mutations
resistance
medicine