Welcome to the Antimicrobial Resistance Threats Report
Antimicrobial resistance (AR), also known as drug resistance, is an urgent global public health threat. AR happens when pathogens (germs) like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them, resulting in infections that can be difficult or impossible to treat. If antibiotics and antifungals lose their effectiveness, then we lose the ability to treat infections and control public health threats.
At CDC, we know that high-quality data are essential to help guide policy, investments, and interventions to combat AR. The Antimicrobial Resistance Threats Report provides burden estimates for a list of bacterial and fungal pathogens categorized by level of threat to human health in the United States—urgent, serious, and concerning—and the overall domestic burden estimate for these threats. In addition, the report includes a Watch List of pathogens whose full burden is not yet understood in the United States. These pathogens are being monitored and may be included as urgent, serious, or concerning threats in the future.
Pathogens by Threat Level
All Pathogens
List of bacteria and fungi threatening human health.
Urgent
These pathogens are public health threats that require urgent and aggressive action.
Serious
These pathogens are public health threats that require prompt and sustained action.
Concerning
These pathogens are public health threats that require careful monitoring and prevention action.
Watch List
These pathogens are being monitored as potential threats, as their full burden is not yet understood.
Additional Data Platforms
Additional CDC AR Data
Quickly access additional datasets and tools.
Antimicrobial Resistance & Patient Safety Portal
Data on antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic use, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and other healthcare-related information.
National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS)
Antimicrobial resistance data from enteric bacteria isolated from humans. Available on CDC's BEAM Dashboard; to access click View Systems Data under Dashboard.
AtlasPlus
Surveillance data on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and viral hepatitis.
Bact Facts
Data from the Emerging Infections Program Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) on antimicrobial resistance in five invasive bacterial pathogens.