InFARM
International FAO antimicrobial resistance monitoring system
Description
InFARM is an online system developed by FAO to assist countries in aggregating and analysing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data from animals and food. The app facilitates the structured reporting of AMR surveillance at a national level and supports the sharing of this information for global monitoring. The collected data are securely stored, and can be updated and managed by authorized national entities, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of the information. InFARM also allows for the controlled public dissemination of AMR data, aligning with international efforts to address AMR challenges. A key feature of InFARM is its commitment to data privacy, offering separate access points for private and public data sharing to accommodate varying levels of data sensitivity. Data is collected through a framework that can be viewed by all countries in the form of a manual containing the following headings: Reporting Cycle, Scale of Activities and Level of Representativeness of AMR Data; Step in the Food Chain; Sample Sources/Surveillance Sites; Surveillance Purpose; Surveillance Programmes; Samples; and Microorganisms.
Technology
The app's interface provides secure, tiered access for the input and management of national AMR surveillance data, supporting data privacy through private and public interfaces. The app integrates analytical tools for data interpretation to aid in national decision-making and contributes to global AMR surveillance as a shared resource. InFARM's design facilitates international data sharing and capacity building within the framework of global health initiatives.
Target
The primary users of InFARM are national health authorities and agricultural professionals. Tailored for government and regulatory bodies tasked with AMR monitoring, InFARM aids in the collection and analysis of data that is crucial for public health.
Business model
The app is free to access and use.
Impact
This IT app will potentially contribute to a global antimicrobial resistance monitoring app through collaboration with other international organizations. InFARM could potentially lead to improved national and global responses to antimicrobial resistance. Its capacity to streamline data could enhance the effectiveness of AMR management strategies in the food and agriculture sectors, potentially slowing the spread of resistance and contributing to better public health outcomes. The future plans for InFARM (as outlined in the roadmap presented during “The InFARM System and Current Perspectives on AMR Surveillance in Food and Agriculture” webinar, hosted as part of the World AMR Awareness Week [WAAW]) include a global rollout with increasing data integration capabilities, the publication of comprehensive global reports on AMR and the facilitation of annual data calls. The expansion phase aims to integrate InFARM with other data apps, thereby broadening its utility and reach. By 2026, the consolidation phase is expected to be completed, establishing InFARM as a central AMR and AMU surveillance data hub, supporting ongoing capacity building and ensuring that the system remains at the forefront of global health initiatives.
Partners
Tripartite Integrated System for Surveillance of AMR and AMU (TISSA): World Health Organization; World Organisation for Animal Health; GLASS
Four Betters
Better production
Better nutrition
Better life
