Resistance due to disinfectants - background report

Disinfectants contribute significantly to the prevention of infections and disease in both humans and animals. However, their use may trigger the development of bacterial resistance, not only to disinfectants, but also to antibiotics. ‘Use disinfectants properly and only when really necessary’ should therefore be the motto of a forward-looking disinfection policy, according to a new advisory report of the Health Council of the Netherlands. This background report belangs to advisory report Careful use of disinfectants.