NORTHERN NEVADA Public Health Serving Reno, Sparks & Washoe County

Washoe Antimicrobial Resistance Reduction Program - (WARR)

The discovery of antibiotics in the 1940's transformed medical care. They dramatically reduced illness and death from infectious diseases. Over the decades, however, the bacteria controlled by antibiotics have developed resistance to these drugs. Today, virtually all-important bacterial infections in the United States and throughout the world are becoming resistant. For this reason, antimicrobial resistance (AR) is among the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) top concerns. AR has been called one of the world's most pressing public health problems.

The Washoe Antimicrobial Resistance Reduction (WARR) Program was established in April of 2002 to address this issue. The mission of the WARR Program is to provide comprehensive epidemiology services and education for Washoe County residents in order to reduce the antimicrobial resistance rate.

Services provided by the WARR Program include:

1. Conducting surveillance programs
   • Countywide antibiogram surveillance.
   • Laboratory Streptococcus pneumoniae surveillance.
   • Laboratory based surveillance for carbapenem resistant organisms (CRO)
   • Case and contact investigation of carbapenemase producing organism
2. Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating antimicrobial resistance associated data and reports.
3. Coordinating provider education activities.
4. Distributing public education materials to increase the awareness of the public.

Antibiogram 2021 in an online format

Antibiogram 2021

Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance

Educational Materials - Brochures, posters, and pamphlets to get educated on the antimicrobial resistance.

Fact Sheets for Health Professionals

Frequently Asked Questions

Resource Center for Health Professionals

Special Publications for the Health Professionals from the WARR Program