Antimicrobial Awareness Week

Antimicrobial Awareness Week is held globally each year to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance and promote the responsible use of antimicrobials.

Antimicrobial resistance has been identified as one of the greatest threats to human health today.

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens is rising worldwide. Patients with infections due to resistant bacteria experience delayed recovery and treatment failure and are more likely to die than patients with infections from non-resistant bacteria.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week takes place between the 18th to the 24th November.

Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021

This year our theme for Antimicrobial Awareness Week incorporates the One Health approach which recognises that the health of humans is closely related to the health of animals and our environment.

Antimicrobials underpin modern healthcare and cannot be taken for granted; we need to work together to ensure they are used appropriately across all sectors — human and animal health, and the environment.

Test your knowledge

Test your knowledge on antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance by taking this quiz!

Poster and colouring in competitions for Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021

Coming soon.



Highlights from Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020

The theme for Antimicrobial Awareness Week in 2020 was 'United to preserve antimicrobials', aiming to engage stakeholders from all sectors in a One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance. The overarching slogan this year was "Antimicrobials: Handle with care" 

Poster and colouring in competitions for Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2020

This year for Antimicrobial Awareness Week we had two competitions for primary school aged children to win a prize and have their work featured on this page. 

Poster competition 

For children up to the age of 13 (suitable for 8 years and up), we asked they create a poster or picture that highlights the importance of antimicrobial awareness. 

The winner of this competition was Lily, 8 years from Whyalla Town Primary School. Congratulations Lily.


Colouring in Competition  

For children 8 years of age and under they were asked to colour in the bacteria and draw a face on the bug.

The winner of this competition was Eva 7 years from Central Yorke School. Congratulations Eva.


Well done to all the entrants and thank you to all the families and schools in South Australia that participated in both of these competitions.

Highlights from Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019

The theme of Antibiotic Awareness Week 2019 was, "The future of antibiotics depends on us all".

Please read the joint statement from Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer and Chief Medical Officer on how Australians can reduce antimicrobial resistance.

Further information

For further information on Antimicrobial Awareness Week activities in South Australia, email HealthAntibio@sa.gov.au.