First WHO antimicrobial surveillance data reveal high levels of resistance globally

The first data from the World Health Organization Global Antimicrobial Surveillance System (GLASS) have reported high rates of resistance to antibiotics commonly used to treat serious bacterial infections in many countries across the world.1

“The report confirms the serious situation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide,” said Marc Sprenger, director of WHO’s Antimicrobial Resistance Secretariat.

WHO launched the first global collaborative effort to standardise surveillance of AMR in October 2015 as part of efforts to improve the evidence base for this growing global health threat.

Sprenger explained, “Some …