Following the Golden Age of antibiotic discovery in the previous century, the rate of antibiotic discovery has plummeted during the past 50 years while the incidence of antimicrobial resistance is ever-increasing. Presently, humankind is forced to address a major public health threat in the form of multiple drug resistance and urgent action is required to halt the advent of a post-antibiotic era. This chapter aims to draw the attention to the escalating global crisis of antimicrobial resistance fueled by the irresponsible use of antibiotics in healthcare and animal production sectors. The merits of alternative prevention and treatment options, including vaccines, herbal products, bacteriophages, and improved biosecurity measures are also discussed.
Keywords: Antibiotics; Antimicrobial resistance; Bacteriophages; Essential oils; Vaccines.