World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) takes place each year from 18 to 24 November. This year, the theme is “Antimicrobials: Handle with Care”. The OIE has produced a wide range of communication tools, including many translated for regional use. The Regional Tripartite has also produced videos to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) issues.
This year, WAAW marks a pivotal change to expand from antibiotics to be inclusive of all antimicrobials, cumulating in the first World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. The OIE has a head start as it has participated to promote the prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials during previous years, and we welcome the change to strengthen the global One Health conversation about antimicrobials.
The OIE animal health specific theme for WAAW 2020 is “United to Protect Antimicrobials”. Each stakeholder has a role to play in protecting the efficacy of antimicrobials by using them responsibly and prudently in the animal health sector.
On the final day of WAAW 2020, 24 November, the Tripartite will communicate at the global level on the theme of One Health and the impact of AMR. The special theme for this day is “AMR in the One Health context”.
The OIE has prepared a number of resources to support awareness campaigns (see links below). These include: posters, stakeholder leaflets, media engagement leaflet, farmer’s infographic, social media squares and GIFs, web banners and video. The tripartite (FAO, OIE and WHO) has also developed many materials which are shared on the Tripartite Trello Board.
