Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a One Health growing global threat that affects public health, animal health, and the environment, in terms of increasing morbidity, mortality and costs at both an individual and public health level. In view of growing mortality rates, AMR is increasingly seen as the next pandemic. It is caused by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. Africa, like other regions of the world, is facing this growing threat, which is further compounded by weak health systems, poor sanitation, and inadequate access to clean water. This is exacerbated by the greatest prevalence of infectious diseases worldwide currently seen in sub-Saharan Africa.

One Health is a collaborative approach that recognizes that the health of one sector impacts the health of the others, and this is particularly relevant to the problem of AMR, where use in humans or animals with overflow to the environment compounds the problem.

The 2019 Lancet Commission has put Africa as a super-region - contributing one of the highest number of deaths from AMR. In Africa, the problem of AMR is particularly alarming due to a number of determinant factors. Firstly, the use of antibiotics in both human and animal health is often unregulated, leading to incorrect and disproportionate use. This is driven by poor sanitation and hygiene, which increases the risk of infection and the spread of resistant strains of bacteria. Secondly, the prevalence of infectious diseases which require antimicrobial treatment, which leads to a greater need for antibiotics, which in turn increases the risk of AMR. Finally, the weak health systems and limited human, technical and economic resources in many African countries make it difficult to implement effective AMR prevention and control programs.

Despite these challenges, researchers are working together to address the problem of AMR from One Health perspectives in Africa. The goal is to collate information on different collaborative approaches to AMR response, information on surveillance and monitoring of AMR, actions that promote the rational use of antibiotics in both human and animal health and the availability of diagnostic tools for infectious diseases, and alternative treatments such as vaccines and probiotics in Africa.

This builds on ongoing activities among African countries to develop, implement and monitor their national action plan to reduce AMR. However, African countries are at different stages of development and implementation, facing many challenges that need to be addressed to reduce AMR.

We therefore welcome submissions relating to the following subthemes:

- Regulatory frameworks and policies for controlling AMR in Africa
- Strengthening surveillance and monitoring of AMR in humans and animals
- Promoting the rational use of antibiotics in human and animal health, especially with the recent launch of the WHO AWaRe book documenting suggested approaches to treat infectious diseases in humans across sectors
- Improving sanitation and hygiene practices to reduce the spread of resistant strains
- Enhancing diagnostic capacity and improving access to diagnostic tools for infectious diseases
- Developing new antimicrobial drugs and alternative treatments for infectious diseases
- Addressing the role of the environment in the emergence and spread of AMR
- Strengthening laboratory capacity for AMR detection and diagnosis
- Building capacity for AMR research and data collection in Africa
- Enhancing collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders in the fight against AMR

Impact

Frontiers in Tropical Diseases

Antimicrobial Resistance