Resistant bacteria do not stop at national borders. This is why it is important to collaborate with other countries in fighting antimicrobial resistance. If the numbers of resistant bacteria reduce in other countries, the Netherlands will also benefit.
Resistance rates in the Netherlands are relatively low, compared to those in other countries. The Netherlands is internationally known for the way we handle antimicrobial resistance. In order to reduce antimicrobial resistance, the Netherlands works with the One Health approach.
One Health
Resistant bacteria are found everywhere – not only in people, but also in animals, plants and the environment. This calls for an integrated approach, also known as the One Health approach. Due to this international approach and cooperation, we can prevent the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in healthcare, livestock farming, the environment, and food.
Collaboration within European Union
Within the European Union (EU (European Union)), the Netherlands collaborates with the European Centre for Infectious Disease Control (ECDC). Through a large European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net), data is collected on antimicrobial resistance. This gives us a better idea of where antimicrobial resistance is present and which antibiotics still work and where.
Collaboration outside European Union
The Netherlands also collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO), both within Europe and elsewhere. Since 2012, RIVM has supported the WHO in the implementation of national action plans on antimicrobial resistance in other countries. RIVM hosts three WHO collaborating centres in the area of AMR:
- WHO Collaborating Centre Antimicrobial Resistance Epidemiology and Surveillance
- WHO Collaborating Centre Risk Assessment of Pathogens in Food and Water
- WHO Collaborating Centre for laboratory preparedness and response for high threat pathogens and biorisk
RIVM helps countries set up and improve national surveillance. Surveillance systems are networks used to monitor resistance data per type of bacteria. The Netherlands has been actively involved in setting up the CAESAR network for the Central Asia and Eastern Europe region. In addition to work in the WHO EURO region, the Netherlands is collaborating with China, India, and Indonesia, to share knowledge.
International projects
Go to our international project database for an overview of international projects on antimicrobial resistance.