What’s the big deal with microbes?
Imagine you’re in a world filled with trillions of tough, tricky villains called microbes. They come in different forms: bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. Some bacteria help our bodies, but many can make us sick. Luckily, a century ago, scientists (the protectors) developed powerful weapons – antibiotics and antiviral drugs that we (the superheroes) can use to fight off microbes that get in our way.
But here’s the catch: these microbes are levelling up and becoming resistant. They’re getting shields and armour that the medicine can’t break through. So, we superheroes get sicker for longer, our symptoms get worse, and illnesses spread faster. Things we used to shake off like strep throat and small cuts can become dangerous – or even deadly.
This is antimicrobial resistance, and the stakes are high. It makes common illnesses harder to treat and defeat, and the protectors are stretched to their limits. Now it’s up to us. Spread the word, not the germs. Use your antibiotics wisely, finish the full course, never share or save them for later…and keep your hands clean, superheroes.
The world is your body. The threat is real.
If we don’t work together, we’ll never reach the next level.
Ready to get your game on and save humanity from the biggest threat yet?
Your world needs you. Let’s go.
For parents and teachers
Resistance to antimicrobial medicines like antibiotics and antifungals is growing. So is our awareness and capacity to keep our families and communities healthy.
We’re here to help parents and teachers to understand this topic and to share this knowledge with young people. So that together, we can promote responsible use of life-saving medicines.
Building a better, more resilient future
The European Union (EU) is taking positive action to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). From local communities to global organisations, we're working where it matters, across sectors and borders to ensure antibiotics are used responsibly in both humans and animals.
Through the One Health approach, we recognise and respond to the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being. Only this way can we address complex health challenges like antimicrobial resistance (AMR). One Health is a people-centred, inclusive approach that promotes interdisciplinary cooperation between the human and veterinary fields, as well as other relevant sectors like environmental and agricultural sciences. It invests in research for new treatments. It raises awareness about risk factors like overprescription, antibiotic use in livestock, and pollution from wastewater. It also shares simple but vital steps we can all take in our own homes, schools and communities to promote responsible use of the valuable medicines we have.
Now, more than ever, we need to work together to meet resistance with resilience, to provide inclusive, effective protection for our health. We need to ensure that the powerful medicines we have worked so hard to create for over a century remain effective for generations to come. Transformation starts with understanding. Let's join forces to create a healthier future for all.
Be a game-changer
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could be the greatest threat to global health of our time. It could kill 10 million people a year by 2050 – more than chronic diseases like cancer, and drive up to 24 million more into extreme poverty. It seems only yesterday that Europe was amid a global pandemic… one that taught us the importance of prevention and preparedness, of taking a unanimous and united approach to our health. This time, we’re on time. We can turn antimicrobial resistance around. The health of future generations depends on the young people of today. The EU is committed to equipping them with the knowledge, understanding and tools to act and react.
Beat the Bug is an immersive campaign for young people, parents and teachers across the EU. Antimicrobial resistance is no ordinary problem. Beat the Bug is no ordinary campaign. Join us on an epic, immersive journey through the videogame Only Up: Beat the Bug. We call on young gamers to save humanity from the malevolent multitude. We challenge them to move up levels of the human body and beat microbes that endanger longevity and quality of life. We familiarise them with the biology and physiology of illness, medicine and resistance. And we inspire them to carry the message forward: We will not be beaten.
The campaign focuses on Romania, Cyprus, Hungary, Spain, Greece, and Bulgaria where game-changers will help us spread the word about Beat the Bug and encourage their followers to join the challenge.
We also rally the guardians and protectors: Parents, teachers, farmers, doctors... Beat the Bug also provides resources to empower communities and institutions to meet resistance with resilience. How? by advocating for responsible use of antibiotics. Together, we can, and we will beat antimicrobial resistance, and safeguard the health of future generations.
