Antimicrobial resistance in the environment: risk screening and prioritization tool

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant concern for humans, animals, plants, and the environment. The UK government’s 20-year Vision for AMR and 5-year National Action Plan aim to address this issue. A risk assessment framework was developed to compare risks between different exposure scenarios. The framework focuses on pathogenic AMR bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and is organized into four modules: concentration, probability of human exposure, health in contact, and public health beyond the population exposed. The framework is designed to be applicable to a wide range of people involved in evaluating AMR microorganisms in the environment. The framework’s modular structure allows for flexibility in testing scenarios incorporating new microorganisms and changes to the population or environmental compartments. The report highlights the level of detail required for qualitative assessments and prioritizes risk for different organisms, populations, and environments.