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.

Worldwide, the number of bacteria resistant to antibiotics is increasing. In the Netherlands, this number generally remains stable and is less high than in many other countries.

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

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.