In 2020, the year of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, resistant bacteria were not found more often in patients in the Netherlands than before the outbreak.

Antimicrobial resistance is increasing on a global level. It is difficult to treat infections caused by resistant bacteria.

Over recent years, antibiotic resistance to most agents has remained stable in the Netherlands, and the use of antibiotics has slightly decreased.

After continuing to rise for many years, in 2013 the prevalence of resistance to antibiotics levelled out somewhat in both hospitals and primary care.

On 25 and 26 June, an international conference about resistance to antibiotics - an increasing worldwide problem - will take place in The Hague.