Specific pathogenic bacteria in the Netherlands showed increasing resistance in 2024. In particular, bacteria that cause urinary tract infections and skin infections were more frequently resistant to medicines than in previous years. These findings are from the NethMap One Health 2025 report. Moreover, the report shows that hospitals have been using last-resort antibiotics more often in recent years. It therefore remains necessary to maintain a focus on antimicrobial resistance and proper compliance with the rules for using antibiotics.
Antimicrobial resistance is less common in the Netherlands than in other European countries, but the percentage of resistant bacteria is increasing in some harmful types. Particularly in bacteria that cause moderate to severe urinary tract infections, an increasing percentage are insensitive to the first-choice antibiotics. This trend is reflected all across Europe. In the Netherlands, the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria also showed more frequent resistance to first-choice antibiotics in 2024 than in previous years. These bacteria can cause skin infections, among others.
Antibiotic use varies between care institutions
GP practices, hospitals and nursing homes prescribed antibiotics about as often in 2024 as in 2023. However, antibiotic use sometimes varies significantly, even between institutions that provide the same type of care. In hospitals, the use of last-rest antibiotics has been rising in recent years. These antibiotics are only used if other antibiotics are not working.
Antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in animals
Antibiotic use in Dutch livestock farming is stable, following a significant downward trend since 2009. Antimicrobial resistance in animals has also remained stable. Farm animals only receive antibiotics that are essential for human use under very exceptional circumstances. As a result, resistance to those antibiotics is relatively rare among animals.
Measures
Incorrect or unnecessary use of antibiotics can cause bacteria to develop antimicrobial resistance. An infection caused by resistant bacteria is harder to treat with antibiotics, and could therefore lead to a more serious course of illness. Correct use of antibiotics in humans and animals therefore remains crucial. Moreover, there is a strong focus in Dutch policy on preventing the spread of resistant bacteria. Thanks to infection prevention measures, such as consistent handwashing during patient care and nursing, and screening patients at high risk for carrying resistant bacteria, antimicrobial resistance is a less urgent problem in the Netherlands than in many other countries.
About the report
The NethMap One Health 2025 report presents that data on antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in the Netherlands in 2024, on humans and animals. Previously, the annual report was called NethMap/MARAN. The new title clarifies the One Health approach to humans, animals and the environment. For more details, go to the full report: NethMap One Health 2025.