Icelandic Annual Report on AMU/AMR

Iceland’s annual report on antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in humans and animals. The first report was published in 2012.

Structure

The report is a collaboration between multiple institutions:

InstitutionRole
Centre for Health SecurityHuman AMR data coordination
Icelandic Food and Veterinary AuthorityAnimal AMR/AMU data
Landspitali University HospitalHuman AMR data, hospital AMU data
Icelandic Medicines AgencyAntimicrobial sales data
University of Iceland Experimental Center for PathologyAnimal AMR data
Environment Agency of IcelandEnvironmental data

Human Surveillance

ComponentData Source
Clinical labsDirectorate of Health
Antibiotic salesIcelandic Medicines Agency

Animal & Food Surveillance

ComponentData Source
Pathogenic/zoonotic/indicator bacteriaMAST
Antibiotic salesIcelandic Medicines Agency
  • Regular MRSA screenings of pig populations (2014/2015, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2025)
  • Surveys tracking ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli
  • Heilsa central veterinary database (cattle, horses, sheep; expansion to all species under development)

Environmental Surveillance

National Action Plan

Iceland’s National Action Plan on AMR (2025–2029) outlines a coordinated five-year strategy to preserve antibiotic effectiveness and limit resistant bacteria spread.

International Reporting

  • Human AMR data → EARS-Net
  • Animal/food AMR data → EFSA/ECDC (Iceland participates in EU harmonised monitoring despite non-EU membership)